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3mo ago

Proposed SAVE Act Faces Backlash Over Voter Suppression Concerns

The bill would require paper proof of citizenship for voter registration, raising barriers for millions, including women, minorities, and transgender Americans.

Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks during a House Republican Leadership post-meeting press conference ahead of a vote on a bill to fund the government for six months and the SAVE Act that requires proof of citizenship in order to vote in elections, at the Republican National Committee on September 18, 2024.
Belkis Gonzalez poses with a "I Voted!" sticker after her casting her vote during the General Election in Miami-Dade County at the Pelican Harbor Marina on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami.

Overview

  • The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act proposes requiring paper proof of citizenship for voter registration, including documents like birth certificates or passports.
  • Critics argue the bill disproportionately impacts married women, low-income individuals, minorities, and transgender voters, many of whom lack updated or accessible identification documents.
  • The bill could disrupt mail and online voter registration systems and impose significant administrative burdens on smaller, underfunded election offices.
  • Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have labeled the measure as a voter suppression tactic, citing parallels to overturned laws in Arizona and Kansas.
  • Supporters claim the legislation addresses election integrity, but studies show noncitizen voting is extremely rare, with only 20 cases identified in Georgia's 2024 voter audit.