Oppose the SAVE Act as Voter Suppression and an Unconstitutional Poll Tax

I am writing to urge you to oppose the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), which passed the House with 49 Republican co-sponsors in the Senate. This legislation is not about election security. It is voter suppression disguised as reform, and it functions as an unconstitutional poll tax. The SAVE Act would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, every time they register or reregister to vote. It would end mail and online registration by mandating that voters show these documents to election officials in person. This would eliminate voter registration drives and prevent states from automatically registering eligible citizens at age 18. At least 21 million Americans do not have readily available proof of citizenship. Only 51 percent of Americans have passports, which cost $165 for first-time adult applicants. Requiring citizens to pay this fee to exercise their constitutional right to vote is a poll tax. The burden falls disproportionately on women who changed their names after marriage, as their names may not match their birth certificates. I think of George Smiley from Alabama, a civil rights foot soldier who marched in Selma and voted in every election until Alabama's voter ID law prevented him from voting in his final years. He was poor, elderly, and lacked a driver's license or passport. Obtaining state identification proved too difficult. The SAVE Act would create millions more George Smileys, denying Americans their fundamental right to vote. This is a repeat attempt from April of last year, when Americans successfully opposed a similar measure. I am asking you to stand against this legislation and protect the voting rights of your constituents. Our democracy depends on expanding access to the ballot, not restricting it.