Franklin County seeks state permission to run SAVE checks on voter registration

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and County Auditor Matt Beaton sent a joint letter dated Sept. 14 requesting written authorization from Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to screen voter registration records, the auditor told the board.

In the letter the county asks for either authorization to run SAVE checks or written proof that the state has already fulfilled the citizenship‑screening duties described in statute. "We formally request written authorization by the Secretary of State…so that the Franklin County may verify its voter registration database using federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or SAVE program," the letter reads. The correspondence cites RCW 29A.08.125 and Washington Administrative Code 434‑324‑045 and requests a response within 10 business days.

Auditor Matt Beaton, who co‑drafted the letter with county administration, told the meeting the request is intended as voter‑roll maintenance and to provide transparency about what checks have been performed; he and commissioners discussed ERIC and recent national reporting about data sharing. The board did not take a separate roll‑call vote on the letter but the chair said he was prepared to sign it during the meeting.