The SAVE Act: A Threat to Voter Access and Democracy
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is being framed as a measure to protect election integrity, but in reality, it is a dangerous piece of legislation that could severely restrict voter registration access for millions of eligible Americans. Introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), this bill imposes stringent new documentation requirements that would disproportionately affect women, people of color, low-income individuals, and rural voters—groups that already face systemic barriers to the ballot box.
How the SAVE Act Would Restrict Voter Access
At its core, the SAVE Act would mandate that every person registering to vote provide physical proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization document. This would override existing voter registration laws in every state and effectively ban widely used, accessible registration methods like:
Online voter registration – Available in 42 states, but would become impossible under the SAVE Act since it doesn’t allow for online submission of citizenship documents.
Mail-in registration – Many Americans register by mail, particularly those with disabilities, the elderly, and those in rural areas. Under this law, they would need to visit an office in person to present documents, making registration much more difficult.
Voter registration drives – Community groups, which have historically helped register voters in marginalized communities, would no longer be able to assist people unless they also collect and verify legal citizenship documents on-site, an unrealistic requirement.
The effects of this legislation would be far-reaching, blocking millions of eligible voters from the registration process—all under the false pretense of preventing a problem that does not exist. Multiple studies, including research from the Brennan Center for Justice, have repeatedly found that non-citizen voting is virtually nonexistent.
Who Would Be Hurt the Most?
The SAVE Act is not just restrictive—it is discriminatory, and its impacts would fall heaviest on specific groups that already face obstacles to voting.
Women Who Have Changed Their Last Names
Married women and divorced individuals often change their last names, and if their citizenship documents do not match their current name, they may be prevented from registering.
An estimated 79% of married women take their spouse’s last name, meaning millions could be affected if they haven't updated their documents.
People of Color
Black and Latino voters are statistically less likely to have immediate access to the required citizenship documents. 11% of Black Americans lack a birth certificate or passport, compared to just 8% of white Americans.
These communities have already faced barriers through voter ID laws and gerrymandering—this law would make it even harder for them to vote.
Low-Income and Rural Voters
Many low-income Americans do not have passports or certified birth certificates because obtaining these documents can be costly and time-consuming.
Rural voters—who may live hours away from government offices—would be disproportionately affected by in-person documentation requirements.
Elderly and Disabled Voters
Older Americans, especially those born at home before birth certificates were widely issued, often struggle to provide proof of citizenship.
Disabled individuals who rely on mail-in or online voter registration would face new obstacles that could make it impossible to vote.
A Direct Attack on Voting Rights
This is not the first time proof-of-citizenship laws have been attempted—and failed.
In Kansas, a similar law blocked over 31,000 eligible voters from registering before courts struck it down as unconstitutional.
Arizona also attempted to implement a proof-of-citizenship law, only for courts to rule it illegal for federal elections because it violated the National Voter Registration Act.
The SAVE Act is simply another attempt to disenfranchise voters under the guise of “election security.” By imposing unnecessary barriers, it would exclude countless eligible voters while doing nothing to address actual election fraud—because no real evidence of widespread fraud exists.
The SAVE Act Must Be Stopped
This legislation represents one of the most restrictive voting proposals in modern history. If enacted, it would:
Gut voter registration drives and end online voter registration in 42 states.
Disenfranchise women who have changed their last names.
Make it harder for Black, Latino, low-income, and rural voters to register.
Place unnecessary burdens on elderly and disabled individuals.
Suppress the voices of millions of eligible American voters.
Voting is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for those who can navigate an overly complex bureaucracy. The SAVE Act is not about election security—it is about restricting access to democracy. Lawmakers and voters alike must reject this attack on voting rights before it silences millions of voices in future elections.
Action: Call Your Elected Officials Now!
The SAVE Act is a direct attack on voter rights, and stopping it requires urgent action. One of the most effective ways to push back is by contacting your representative and senators to voice your opposition. Download the 5 Calls app to your smartphone, which provides contact information and scripts for calling your elected officials.
Simply open the app, select "Oppose The SAVE Act (H.R. 22 / S.128) - A Voter Suppression Bill," and follow the prompts to call your Representative and both Senators. Every call matters—your voice can help protect millions of Americans from being unjustly denied their right to vote.