Supreme Court lets Trump administration use SAVE database for now

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday to temporarily allow the Trump administration to utilize a controversial SAVE database for reviewing state voter rolls in search of potential noncitizens. This decision came after a lower court had previously blocked the system, deeming it in violation of federal privacy laws. In a 6-3 decision, the court granted the Justice Department's request for emergency relief to halt a June order from a Washington, D.C. judge.

The judge had criticized the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE system, stating it had "knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens" and posed a threat to the right to vote by potentially disqualifying eligible voters. While the Supreme Court's decision may have little impact on the upcoming midterm elections, as federal law prohibits states from removing ineligible voters from their voter rolls within 90 days of an election, the 40-day gap between now and November 3rd could still pose some risks.

The court ruled that claims concerning the legality of the modified database likely lack merit and it was unlikely to reverse the lower court's decision blocking the expanded database's use.