Congressional Republicans have introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a dangerous and unnecessary anti-voter bill that would make it significantly harder for eligible American voters to register and cast their ballots—regardless of their party affiliation.

The SAVE Act would impose new, burdensome voter ID requirements and mandate in-person registration, effectively disenfranchising millions of Americans. This legislation is an attack on voting rights, particularly targeting low-income individuals, people of color, justice-impacted individuals, rural voters, seniors, students, and people with disabilities—communities that already face systemic barriers to participating in elections.

Why This Matters

We urge you to call your Representatives and Senators to demand a NO vote on the SAVE Act.

The SAVE Act directly contradicts the will of the people. In Michigan, Proposal 22-2, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters, expanded access to mail-in ballots, early voting, and online registration. The SAVE Act would reverse those critical improvements and make it harder for millions to vote.

How the SAVE Act Harms Voters

1. It Would Effectively End Online and Mail-In Voter Registration

• The bill eliminates online voter registration in all 42 states that currently offer it, forcing election officials to rely on outdated, costly, and inefficient paper-based systems.
• It bans mail-in voter registration, requiring all applications to be submitted in person with strict documentation requirements—a huge barrier for many voters.

2. It Would Eliminate Third-Party Voter Registration Drives

• Nonprofits and community groups that help register new voters—especially justice-impacted individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and those with limited mobility—would no longer be able to collect voter registration forms.
• Only government officials would be allowed to review and process proof of citizenship, making it impossible for groups like Voting Access For All Coalition (VAAC) to continue their critical voter registration work.

3. It Imposes Unnecessary and Burdensome Proof of Citizenship Requirements

• The bill would require all voters to present physical documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate (with a photo ID), whenever they register or update their registration.
• Real IDs, military IDs, and naturalization certificates would not be accepted without additional documentation.
• Over 21 million eligible Americans do not have the required proof of citizenship readily available.

4. It Disenfranchises Marginalized Communities

The proof of citizenship requirement is particularly harmful to:

• Low-income individuals and first-time voters who may not have a passport or an easily accessible birth certificate.
• Women and transgender individuals whose legal names may not match the names on their birth certificates. Nearly 69 million women in the U.S. could be impacted by name mismatches alone.
• Seniors, people with disabilities, and rural voters who may lack access to transportation to government offices to present documents in person.
• Justice-impacted individuals and formerly incarcerated people who already face unnecessary barriers to voting and reentry into civic life.

5. It Would Lead to Massive, Unjust Voter Purges

The SAVE Act would force states to conduct frequent and aggressive voter roll purges, removing registered voters from the rolls based on faulty data.

• We have already seen the harmful consequences of voter purges in states like Georgia, Wisconsin, and Ohio, where tens of thousands of eligible voters—disproportionately Black and low-income—were wrongfully removed.
• These purges are deeply flawed, often targeting naturalized citizens and those with common last names.

The SAVE Act Is a Solution in Search of a Problem

• The U.S. already has strict laws in place to ensure that only citizens vote, and instances of non-citizen voting are virtually nonexistent.
• The penalties for illegal voting—deportation, fines, and jail time—are severe, making it highly unlikely that non-citizens would risk casting a fraudulent ballot.
• This bill is not about election security—it’s about voter suppression.

Take Action to Stop the SAVE Act

1. Call Your Members of Congress
   We must demand that our lawmakers vote NO on the SAVE Act and protect the fundamental right to vote. Find your Representative here and call today: Find My Representative
2. Spread the Word
   Tell your friends, family, and community members about the dangers of the SAVE Act. Share this information on social media, email your networks, and encourage others to take action.
3. Get Involved with VAAC
   We hold coalition meetings on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month—join us to stay informed and be part of the movement to defend voting rights.
   Sign up here: VAAC Sign-Up

Our democracy works best when everyone can participate. The SAVE Act is a direct attack on that principle, and we cannot afford to stay silent. Stand up, speak out, and take action today.

Artwork courtesy of Matt Chase, Brennan Center for Justice.