Revised SAVE Act Bills Could Restrict Voting for Millions of Americans
Recently, Republican lawmakers in Congress have reignited their efforts to pass the SAVE Act, introducing two new bills emphasizing a “show your papers” requirement for voter registration. This follows an unsuccessful attempt to pass similar legislation last year amid widespread public disapproval.
The SAVE Act: Key Provisions
The proposed SAVE Act mandates that American citizens provide specific documents, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote. However, studies reveal that over 21 million Americans lack immediate access to these essential documents. Approximately half of the population does not possess a passport, and many lack a paper copy of their birth certificate.
Impact on Voter Demographics
The SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions, particularly affecting younger voters and voters of color. Additionally, women whose married names differ from those on their identification would encounter extra hurdles in exercising their voting rights.
Challenges for Election Officials
The proposed legislation would introduce confusion into election administration and impose significant burdens on local and state officials. Their responsibilities would include determining whether a lacking voter has sufficiently proven their citizenship. Mistakes could lead to civil or criminal penalties for election officials, complicating the registration process.
Implementation of the SAVE Act could occur either immediately upon enactment or within one to two years, raising concerns over the rapid rollout of such substantial changes in election policy.
House and Senate Bills
Both the House and Senate versions of the SAVE Act contain distinct provisions that would further complicate the voting process. Below are some key features of the House’s Make Elections Great Again Act:
- Proof of citizenship and residence required for registration.
- Photo ID mandate with a limited list of acceptable identification.
- Prohibition on using student IDs issued by state universities.
- Regular voter roll purges every 30 days.
- Restriction on universal mail voting, necessitating an application to receive a mail ballot.
The Senate’s SAVE America Act reinforces its “show your papers” requirement at both registration and voting stages. States that regularly submit their voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security may receive exemptions, though many state officials are hesitant to share such data due to privacy concerns.
Concerns About Election Integrity
Evidence has consistently shown that voter fraud is extremely rare among American citizens. States like Louisiana and Utah have verified that efforts to identify illegally cast votes yield negligible results. The SAVE Act appears to be part of a broader federal strategy to undermine public confidence in electoral processes.
This renewed push for restrictive voter registration laws risks disenfranchising millions of American citizens. Advocates for voter rights are urging Congress to reject the SAVE Act and protect the voting freedoms of all Americans.
