1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the SAVE America Act, which passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 218-213. This legislation represents a dangerous federal overreach that would suppress voter participation while violating constitutional principles that Republicans have historically defended. The bill would impose unprecedented federal mandates on all 50 states, requiring documentary proof of citizenship obtained in person, such as a passport or birth certificate, before registering to vote in federal elections. It would also mandate photo identification for in-person voting and require ID copies for all mail-in ballot requests and submissions. These requirements create significant barriers for millions of eligible American citizens who lack easy access to these documents, including elderly voters, rural residents, and low-income families. This legislation attempts to solve a problem that does not exist. Voting by noncitizens is already illegal under current federal law, with criminal penalties for violators who falsely attest to citizenship. Democrats and election security experts have repeatedly confirmed that noncitizen voting is extremely rare. The SAVE America Act is not about election security but about making it harder for eligible Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Even more troubling is the constitutional violation at the heart of this bill. Senator Lisa Murkowski correctly noted that Republicans unanimously opposed Democrats' 2021 election reform legislation because it would federalize elections. The Constitution explicitly grants states authority over the times, places, and manner of holding elections for federal office. President Trump himself has stated he wants to "nationalize" elections and "take over the voting" in multiple states, revealing the true intent behind this legislation. Senator Mitch McConnell led opposition to federal election mandates in 2021-2022, insisting that elections should be run by states without federal interference. That principle has not changed simply because Republicans now control Congress. I urge you to stand by constitutional principles and vote no on the SAVE America Act.