I urge you to vote against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. While its title suggests a legitimate goal, the legislation is in reality a tool for voter suppression. I respectfully ask you to consider the following:
No Evidence of Widespread Noncitizen Voting
There is no credible evidence that noncitizen voting is a widespread issue in the United States. Studies by the Brennan Center and bipartisan election officials confirm that existing voter registration systems already prevent ineligible registration. This bill addresses a problem that doesn’t exist.
Unnecessary Burden on Eligible Voters
The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—to register. Millions of eligible Americans, especially seniors, low-income citizens, and rural residents, lack easy access to such documents. This will disenfranchise them.
Discriminatory Impact on Marginalized Communities
Communities of color are less likely to have the required documentation. This bill effectively imposes a modern-day poll tax, forcing citizens to obtain costly paperwork simply to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Federal Overreach into State Election Administration
Our Constitution entrusts states with the responsibility of managing elections. The SAVE Act imposes a federal mandate that undermines states’ flexibility and burdens local election officials with unnecessary red tape and expense.
Solution in Search of a Problem
At its core, the SAVE Act appears to be a politically motivated effort to sow distrust in our elections. Instead of erecting new barriers, we should focus on making the ballot more accessible to every eligible citizen.
Please stand up for democracy and vote no on the SAVE Act.
Thank you for your service and your thoughtful consideration of this urgent matter.