1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the SAVE Act, legislation that would disenfranchise eligible voters under the guise of election security. This bill creates unnecessary barriers to voting that will prevent legitimate citizens from exercising their constitutional right to participate in our democracy. The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, a requirement that millions of eligible voters cannot easily meet. Many Americans, particularly elderly citizens, those born at home, and individuals who have changed their names through marriage, do not have ready access to birth certificates or other acceptable documents. Obtaining these documents often requires fees, travel, and bureaucratic navigation that creates a modern-day poll tax. Current voter registration systems already require applicants to attest to their citizenship under penalty of perjury. Studies consistently show that noncitizen voting is extraordinarily rare, with incident rates in the single digits out of millions of votes cast. The SAVE Act solves a problem that does not exist while creating real harm to voter participation. This legislation would disproportionately impact low-income voters, people of color, and young voters who are less likely to possess the required documentation. When similar laws have been implemented at the state level, voter registration rates have dropped significantly among these populations. Democracy functions best when participation is maximized, not when artificial obstacles are erected. I ask that you publicly oppose the SAVE Act and vote against it should it come before you. Our election systems need reforms that expand access and strengthen security simultaneously, not laws that sacrifice the voting rights of eligible citizens. Every constituent deserves the ability to register and vote without facing discriminatory documentation requirements that serve no legitimate purpose.