Gessler statement on meeting with Department of Homeland Security

Colorado to work with DHS to verify citizenship of registered voters

Denver, July 16, 2012 - Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler released the following statement today after meeting with an official from the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The meeting follows a July 9 letter from Secretary Gessler again requesting assistance from the Department of Homeland Security to verify the citizenship status of people who are registered to vote in Colorado.

"As Colorado's chief election official, protecting our elections is my top priority. I’m pleased that DHS has agreed to work with states to verify the citizenship of people on the voter rolls and help reduce our vulnerability. Coloradans deserve to know we have these most basic protections for election integrity."