1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I demand you oppose the SAVE Act. This legislation would create new barriers for eligible citizens and undermine access to the ballot. Millions of Americans do not have easy access to documentary proof of citizenship. More than 21.3 million Americans lack immediate access to documents that prove citizenship. More than 140 million Americans do not have a passport, and older Americans are among the least likely to have one. An estimated 69 million women who have taken a spouse’s last name do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name. Transgender Americans who change their name to reflect their gender identity may face denial of updated passports and barriers to registration. Disabled Americans are already more likely to encounter difficulty while voting, and additional documentation requirements would intensify those challenges. Citizens of color are three times more likely than white citizens to lack documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization certificates, or certificates of citizenship. An in-person registration requirement would also prevent military members serving abroad from easily registering to vote. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud justifying these restrictions. Policies that limit access for eligible voters weaken democracy rather than protect it. The SAVE Act appears to be designed to block lawful voters instead of strengthening election integrity. I demand you oppose the SAVE Act and support policies that protect the right of every eligible American to register and vote without unnecessary barriers. Our democracy depends on broad and equal participation. Your constituents are watching.