1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern about the implications of the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), particularly its potential harm to communities across East Texas. While I support the integrity of our elections, this legislation could disproportionately affect lawful citizens, veterans, students, and rural residents—many of whom already face barriers when trying to participate in the democratic process. In East Texas, many citizens—especially older adults, low-income families, and people living in rural areas—do not have easy access to the types of documentary proof of citizenship the SAVE Act would require. For instance, a naturalized citizen in Henderson who lost her paperwork in a house fire may now be forced to spend time and money traveling to a federal office hours away just to replace her documentation. A U.S.-born veteran in Longview without a birth certificate on hand could be dropped from the rolls without ever knowing why. These are real people who have every right to vote, and this bill makes it harder for them to do so. The SAVE Act also risks confusion and suppression among college students at institutions like Kilgore College and UT Tyler. Many students move frequently, lack access to printers, and may not keep original birth certificates in dorms or apartments. While they are old enough to serve in the military, under this bill, they may not be able to easily prove they are American citizens—and that is unacceptable. We also know East Texas churches often help register new voters. But under the SAVE Act, volunteers and churches could face new liabilities or confusion about acceptable forms of citizenship documentation, discouraging the very civic engagement that strengthens our communities. In a region where people already feel disconnected from government, the SAVE Act sends the message that we don’t trust our neighbors. It undermines the hard work of local election officials, overcomplicates an already secure process, and risks disenfranchising thousands of eligible East Texans. I urge you to oppose the SAVE Act and to instead support policies that protect both election security and voting rights—because we can and must do both.