1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the SAVE Act, or at a minimum to delay its implementation until its likely effects have been thoroughly studied and publicly vetted. Like many Americans, I believe that only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in federal elections. Election integrity is important, and I support reasonable measures to protect it. However, I do not believe the SAVE Act strikes the right balance between election security and ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise the right to vote. My primary concern is that the legislation appears to address a problem that has been shown to be extremely rare while creating new obstacles for eligible voters. Research and reviews by election experts have generally found that documented cases of noncitizen voting in federal elections are uncommon. Existing federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting, with significant criminal penalties for doing so, and states already use a variety of processes to verify voter eligibility and maintain accurate voter rolls. At the same time, requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration could create unintended barriers for eligible Americans. Many citizens do not possess a current U.S. passport, and obtaining certified birth certificates or other qualifying documents can take time and cost money. Americans who have changed their names because of marriage, adoption, or other life events may face additional administrative hurdles when their identification and citizenship documents do not match exactly. I am also concerned about the timing of implementing significant changes to voter registration requirements in the period leading up to a federal election. Major changes to election procedures should be carefully tested, adequately funded, and implemented only after election officials have sufficient time to prepare and educate the public. Introducing new documentation requirements without adequate preparation risks creating confusion for both voters and election administrators. If Congress believes changes to voter registration are necessary, those changes should be supported by clear evidence that they address a significant problem and should be designed to avoid disenfranchising eligible voters. Public confidence in elections depends not only on preventing ineligible voting but also on ensuring that every eligible citizen can register and cast a ballot without unnecessary obstacles. I respectfully ask that you oppose the SAVE Act in its current form or work to amend it so that it protects election integrity without placing additional burdens on eligible American voters. I also ask that any changes to federal election law be based on demonstrated need, careful study, and bipartisan input rather than being rushed before a national election. Thank you for your service and for considering my views. I appreciate your commitment to protecting both the integrity of our elections and the fundamental right of every eligible American to vote.