Members of the House of Representatives are once again pushing the SAVE Act (ironically entitled the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” Act), a dangerous bill that would create unnecessary obstacles for millions of eligible Americans trying to register to vote. The House passed it in 2024, but it never reached the Senate. Now they are bringing it back to restrict access to the ballot. State laws with similar provisions blocked thousands of citizens in Arizona and Kansas from voting in 2024. The house may vote on the bill as early as next week – so act now!
The SAVE Act would require every voter to show proof of citizenship, such as a passport or original birth certificate, in person when registering to vote in federal elections. The name on the document must exactly match the name of the person trying to register. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, more than 21 million eligible voters don’t have these documents readily available. Because the bill would require showing this proof in person, it would eliminate online and mail-in voter registration – cutting out both deployed military members and most civilian voters overseas. This bill wouldn’t improve election security; it would just make it significantly harder for everyday Americans to vote.
If passed, the SAVE Act would disproportionately harm:
- overseas voters, military or civilian, who would find it hard (and expensive!) to present proof of citizenship in person to their local election officials; and
- married women who have changed their last names, many of whom don’t have birth certificates matching their legal names.
Voting by non-citizens is already illegal, and states have secure systems in place to verify voter eligibility – this bill is unnecessary. It will also hugely increase the administrative burden on and costs for local election offices.
Take action: call your Representative!
Call your Representative to tell them that this bill would undermine your right to vote and cost them votes, and to vote NO when the time comes. Click here to find your Representative’s name and phone numbers; call both their Washington, DC and local offices.
Not sure what to say? Here is a sample script:
Good morning/afternoon! My name is (YOUR NAME) and I am constituent of Rep <name>. My zip code is XXXXX. I’m an American citizen living abroad and I care deeply about my country. I am calling to ask Rep <name> to oppose the SAVE Act, HR 22. This bill would completely disenfranchise me because I am not able to register to vote in person. Will the congress(wo)man be voting against it and protect my right to vote?
Call today!