The SAVE Act, also known as the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act,” is a bill being fast-tracked through Congress, and it could spell disaster for our freedom to vote. Its drafters claim to be protecting the election process, but at the bill’s core is a thinly veiled attempt to make it harder for people to vote. Let’s look at what’s included in the bill and why it’s so damaging to many people.
What’s in the SAVE Act
The SAVE Act would require all Americans to present “documentary proof of citizenship” in order to register to vote in federal elections. That includes first-time registrants and people who update registrations as a result of a change of address or for any other reason. And the list of documents acceptable that constitute proof of citizenship is extremely limited. Acceptable documents include a passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate. For many people, accessing or obtaining these documents can be difficult.
The bill is also completely unnecessary. Existing criminal laws with strict penalties already prohibit non-citizens from voting in federal elections, and we have procedures in place to vet voter registrations and ballots for voter fraud. And while proponents of the SAVE Act and similar bills will scream about voter fraud, there’s just no evidence of widespread voter fraud to be found.
Why the SAVE Act is so dangerous
Bills like this seem intentionally designed to limit access to voting because they so specifically target young would-be voters, marginalized would-be voters, and more.
- Young people who don’t have passports or easy access to birth certificates would be disenfranchised. This would include many first-time voters.
- Immigrants who are US citizens but don’t have a US passport could be disenfranchised.
- People who’ve changed their names, either through marriage or for any other reason, would be disenfranchised if their new legal name doesn’t match what’s on their verification documents.
- People who can’t afford to get a passport or a certified copy of their original birth certificate would also be disenfranchised simply because they lack the funds to acquire the documents necessary to register.
All these groups and more would face additional hurdles to voting as a direct result of the SAVE Act. Something as simple as having your passport destroyed in a natural disaster could be enough to prevent voter registration. The Act could also lead to purges of existing voters from the rolls for insufficient proof of citizenship. With so many dangers, the time to speak out is now.
How you can help
It’s up to all of us to unite our voices and speak out against bills like the SAVE Act. You can join us by signing our petition urging the House to reject the SAVE Act. You can also become a member of People For the American Way and remain in the know about incoming injustices that you can help prevent.
