government
Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters
By Ali Swenson And Fatima Hussein, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 22, 2026
· 5 min read
A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program,...
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 Alamo Heights News
In Alamo Heights , where voter turnout is often high, the implications of this ruling are significant. The decision to block the use of the SAVE database to check citizenship could have a direct impact on local election processes. With the city's own elections often coinciding with state and federal contests, any changes to voter roll management could affect the administration of elections in Alamo Heights. The ruling may also influence how local election officials approach voter registration and verification, potentially streamlining the process for eligible voters. As the Department of Justice considers its next steps, Alamo Heights residents can expect to see continued debate over voting rights and election integrity, with potential consequences for the city's voting procedures and voter access. The city's election officials will likely be watching this development closely, as they work to ensure that all eligible voters in Alamo Heights can exercise their right to vote without unnecessary barriers.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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 .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more Alamo Heights News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 administration’s efforts to nationalize elections can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program,...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ali Swenson And Fatima Hussein, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter