Why Americans Would Lose with a Bill Called the SAVE Act

There is this pervasive, albeit inaccurate and baseless, belief that noncitizens are somehow voting in American elections and having a major impact in American elections (including in 2024).

As a result of these claims that are grounded in fantasy rather than facts, the SAVE Act has been introduced (and has gotten over 90 cosponsors). This legislation, which is alleged to combat so-called voter fraud, instead requires certain proof of citizenship documents when you register to vote.(1)

Documents, that, for the record, up to 1 in 10 Americans don’t have access to.(2) Meaning that, in this crusade to prevent “voter fraud” among noncitizens, that it’s Americans who are being disenfranchised.

And among the people disproportionately disenfranchised are African Americans, which is extremely troubling.(3) There is a long history of attempts trying to keep African Americans from voting, ranging from poll taxes to mass incarceration. The SAVE Act would add another dark chapter to this already dark history of disenfranchising African Americans.

It’s not just African Americans though. Women could be impacted too, as tens of millions of women have taken their spouse’s last name but do not have that last name on their birth certificate.(4) So, it has at least the potential to be a barrier to women, for if their voter registration name does not match up with their birth certificate or passport, additional documents may be needed.(5)

Yes, elections should be free of fraud. But there is already very little fraud in our elections. These members of Congress would be better off solving real problems, rather than using fictitious narratives towards potentially depriving tens of millions—including some of their own constituents—of their right to vote.

Why Americans Would Lose with a Bill Called the SAVE Act

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