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Committee rejects bill to let counties run voter rolls through DHS SAVE system
Summary
The Election & Campaign Finance Committee debated HB 18-97, which would have authorized counties to use the federal SAVE system for pre‑registration checks and quarterly list maintenance; the measure failed 1–6 after testimony highlighted technical limits and the required appeal process for flagged registrants.
Chair opened debate on HB 18-97, introduced by Representative Warner, which would authorize county election officials to enter into agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system for pre‑registration checks and routine roll maintenance. Representative Warner said the measure was "a free, fast and secure tool to help make sure only citizens are on their voter rows," and framed it as a supplement — not a replacement — to existing local checks.
Mark Owens, Coordinator of Elections, testified to the committee about Tennessee's experience testing SAVE and warned the system was designed for one‑time verification rather than repeated bulk submissions. "What it is, it's not designed to have the same list submitted over and over," he said, explaining technical and operational limits that led the state to stagger checks and to work with SAVE on a web service connection. Owens described the notification and appeals process for anyone flagged: counties send a letter and give recipients 30 days to provide proof (birth certificate, passport, naturalization) for reinstatement.
Members pressed on frequency, cost and overlap with a forthcoming state portal. Representative Birkin and others asked whether the bill would duplicate Leader Lambeth's portal proposal; Owens and supporters said the legislation would be permissive and could duplicate functions but might be useful to counties that want the tool sooner. Clerk roll call reported one aye and six no votes; the committee chair declared the bill failed and encouraged the sponsor to coordinate with Leader Lambeth on possible consolidation of provisions.
