government
Judge blocks use of federal tool to check voter citizenship status
By AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 22, 2026
· 2 min read
A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administrations election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to th...
Key takeaway All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote, Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision.
Why this matters in The Detroit
In Detroit , where voter turnout is crucial in local and national elections, this ruling has significant implications. The city's residents have historically faced challenges in exercising their right to vote, including issues with voter registration and access to polling stations. The blocked use of the SAVE program means that Detroit voters will not have to worry about being wrongly purged from voter rolls due to inaccurate citizenship status checks. This decision also underscores the importance of protecting voter privacy and preventing the misuse of personal data in the city's electoral process. As the city prepares for upcoming elections, it will be important to monitor how this ruling affects voter registration and turnout in Detroit's communities, particularly in areas with high concentrations of immigrant and minority populations. The impact of this decision will likely be felt in the city's voting booths, where every vote counts in shaping the future of Detroit.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administrations election integrity strategy is unlawful and can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to th...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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