Opposition to H.R. 22 (SAVE Act) – Protect the Right to Vote

I am writing in strong opposition to H.R. 22, the SAVE Act. This bill is a voter suppression measure that would make it harder for eligible Americans to register and vote, particularly seniors, low-income voters, people with disabilities, rural residents, students, married women, and communities of color. The SAVE Act would require onerous documentation to register to vote, even though voter registration is already governed by existing federal and state safeguards. Millions of eligible voters do not have immediate access to passports or birth certificates, and replacing these documents can be costly, time-consuming, and burdensome. Conditioning the right to vote on access to specific paperwork effectively turns voting into a privilege rather than a fundamental right. This legislation would disproportionately harm married women and others who have changed their names, as well as elderly Americans whose birth records may be incomplete or difficult to obtain. It would also create new barriers for rural voters who live far from government offices, and for people with disabilities who face mobility, health, or transportation challenges. There is no credible evidence that these new restrictions are necessary. Voter fraud is exceedingly rare, and existing systems already protect the integrity of our elections. H.R. 22 addresses a problem that does not exist, while creating very real obstacles for lawful voters. That is not election security — it is voter suppression. The right to vote is foundational to our democracy. Congress should be working to expand access to the ballot, modernize voter registration, and ensure that every eligible voter can participate freely and fairly. H.R. 22 does the opposite by discouraging participation and undermining public trust in our democratic institutions. I urge you to oppose H.R. 22 and instead support legislation that protects and strengthens voting rights for all Americans. Our democracy is strongest when participation is encouraged, not restricted. Thank you for your time and consideration.