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

I urge you to vote against the SAVE America Act, which passed the House 218-213 on Wednesday. This legislation represents a dangerous federal overreach that contradicts core conservative principles of state sovereignty over elections. The Constitution explicitly grants states authority over the "Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections" for federal office. Republicans unanimously opposed Democrats' 2021 election reform legislation precisely because it would have federalized elections. As Senator Lisa Murkowski correctly noted, the SAVE America Act would "effectively do just that." This inconsistency undermines our constitutional framework and sets a troubling precedent for future federal interference in state election administration. The bill's requirements are unnecessarily burdensome and solve a problem that barely exists. Voting by noncitizens is already illegal under current law, with voters required to attest to citizenship under oath with criminal penalties for violations. The SAVE America Act would mandate that states obtain documentary proof of citizenship in person, such as passports or birth certificates, before registering voters for federal elections. It would also require photo identification for in-person voting and copies of eligible IDs for mail-in ballot requests and submissions. These requirements create significant barriers for eligible citizens. Many Americans lack passports or easy access to birth certificates, particularly elderly voters, rural residents, and those who have moved frequently. The in-person documentation requirement is especially problematic for citizens with disabilities, those without reliable transportation, and working people who cannot take time off during business hours. Senator Susan Collins, who supported the original SAVE Act, now opposes this revised version because "it went much broader than these original principles." Even Senator Mitch McConnell has long insisted elections should be run by states without federal mandates. I ask you to stand with Senators Murkowski, Collins, and the principle of state sovereignty by opposing the SAVE America Act. Our elections are already secure, and this federal mandate would only make voting harder for eligible citizens while violating constitutional principles Republicans have historically defended.