Aguilar Resists Using SAVE Database to Identify Noncitizen Voters

Nevada's Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is resisting calls to use the SAVE database to identify noncitizen voters, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing its use for this purpose. Governor Joe Lombardo has urged Aguilar to take advantage of the system, citing a Pew Research Center finding that 85% of Americans believe it's essential to prevent ineligible voters from casting ballots.

Aguilar argues that there are already safeguards in place to prevent noncitizens from voting, but critics point out that these measures are inadequate. For instance, the DMV does not automatically register individuals who present immigration documents, and a 2020 report found over 4,000 people who used such documents to obtain drivers' licenses or ID cards also voted in the election.

Aguilar's office dismissed the investigation into these cases, suggesting that some of those individuals may have become citizens. However, critics argue that this is no excuse for failing to investigate further and ensure that only eligible voters are on the rolls. The Department of Homeland Security estimates there may be over 15,000 noncitizens on Nevada's voter rolls.

Aguilar's reluctance to use SAVE has been likened by some to a parent avoiding confronting an obvious issue in their child's room - simply letting it go rather than taking action.