Secretary of State Cord Byrd announces landmark agreement with DHS to better secure elections

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

In October 2024, Florida sued the Biden Administration to receive better information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlements (SAVE) database.  A multi-state agreement was signed on November 28, 2025, with the Department of Homeland Security giving the states free and better information from the SAVE database. 

“Florida successfully led this multistate effort to help secure accurate voter rolls,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “Election integrity starts with clean voter rolls, and this important agreement will improve and modernize the SAVE database for decades to come.” 

The agreement requires DHS to offer SAVE at no cost, improve search functionality by adding the ability to search full or partial social security numbers, provide 48-hour response times, and process bulk requests.  The agreement is judicially enforceable for 20 years, requiring future administrations to abide by it.  Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa joined Florida to settle the case. 

SAVE is an online service administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to verify immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants seeking benefits or licenses.  USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security. 

The agreement was formally approved by the court this week. 

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  About the Division of Elections

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections supports the Secretary of State, Florida’s chief election officer, in ensuring that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division’s three bureaus: Bureau of Election Records, Bureau of Voter Registration Services, and Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, have several responsibilities in the areas of legal compliance and elections administration to ensure that Florida’s election laws are uniformly interpreted and implemented. The Division also assists local Supervisors of Elections in their duties and promotes enhanced public awareness and participation in the electoral process. For more information about Florida’s elections, visit dos.fl.gov/elections.

About the Office of Election Crimes and Security

In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 524 creating the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).  OECS conducts preliminary investigations into alleged violations of Florida’s Election Code including irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting and ballot initiatives.  The Office of Election Crimes and Security continues to be vigilant in thwarting those who seek to violate Florida election laws.  If you have information regarding any crime, fraud, or irregularity affecting Florida’s election system or violation of Florida’s Election Code, contact Florida’s Voter Fraud Hotline at 1-877-868-3737.