The SAVE act isn’t saving anyone

Legislation has a profound impact on shaping the lives of millions, but when policies are crafted under the guise of virtue, while systematically targeting marginalized groups, we have a responsibility to sound the alarm. The SAVE Act, touted as a safeguard for so-called “traditional values,” is anything but. Beneath its polished rhetoric lies a sinister attempt to strip women, particularly Black women, of their rights and autonomy. This legislation, driven by the same architects behind Project 2025, represents a dangerous step backward for our society, and it must never be allowed to take root in our legal system.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, in short, requires voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration and a photo ID at the time of voting. Passed this month in the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, if you are thinking, well, I’ve got REAL ID, I’m good…. not so fast.

As was explained in an article by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), “the bill’s identification requirements also specify that a voter ID document must indicate that the individual identified is a U.S. citizen. A handful of states denote citizenship status directly on driver’s licenses, and while applicants for REAL ID cards provide documentary evidence of citizenship status, the cards display the same gold star insignia for a citizen as for a lawfully present noncitizen. Currently, each state determines the types of ID acceptable to vote, and that often includes student IDs, hunting and fishing licenses, or other state-specific identification cards.”

In a recent study by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, it was found that only 48% registered voters have an unexpired passport with their current legal name, over 10% of registered voters do not have access to their birth certificate or an easy ability to get what they need to prove their citizenship.  Scarily, in a recent media post, an African-American voter in Texas said she was told that her name didn’t appear on their voter rolls, even though she voted in the latest national and local elections. When asked to re-register, the voter provided a passport and was told that it couldn’t be verified. She was turned away again and told to present her driver’s license.

This is the moment that I encourage, no begging, each of you to check your voter registration status at myvote.wi.gov.

Further, a full review of the bill will yield that an individual who has changed their name through marriage, adoption, or court order could also need to show additional “papers” like a marriage certificate, etc., to help prove their citizenship. Women are most likely to be impacted by these additional hurdles. How many are walking around with a copy of their divorce decree? At its core, the SAVE Act is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, designed to make voting more difficult.

The SAVE America Act can also disproportionately impact women, who are frequently overrepresented as election officials, by establishing criminal penalties for officials “who register an applicant who fails to present documentary proof of citizenship, even if that applicant is in fact a U.S. citizen.”  Passage would create a chilling precedent, giving legitimacy to policies that undermine democracy and perpetuate inequality.

We must mobilize, organize, and use the collective strength of a united people to stop this bill. Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on the SAVE Act, educate others, and don’t let anyone turn you around in the quest to cast your vote.