The Cost of the SAVE Act: A Threat to Voter Access

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, recently reintroduced by Texas Representative Chip Roy, mandates that voters provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering for federal elections. While intended to prevent illegal voting, this legislation has raised significant concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement.

Key Concerns:
🔹 Impact on Marginalized Groups – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 25% of U.S. citizens do not possess a passport or birth certificate, which could disproportionately impact voters of color and young voters, who may not have immediate access to the necessary documentation.

🔹 Disenfranchisement of Married Women – Many married women who have changed their surnames may face challenges if their current names do not match their birth certificates. The SAVE Act does not recognize marriage certificates as valid proof of identity, potentially hindering these women from registering to vote. A study from the Brennan Center found that up to 18 million women nationwide could face difficulties registering to vote under strict documentation requirements because of changes in their names due to marriage.

🔹 Administrative and Financial Burdens – State election officials express concerns about the logistical challenges and financial burdens of implementing the SAVE Act, citing the lack of a reliable federal database to verify citizenship and the potential costs of new procedures. The National Association of State Election Directors estimates that implementing the SAVE Act could cost states more than $100 million annually to verify voter eligibility, which could drain resources away from other essential election functions.

Ultimately, the SAVE Act could suppress voter turnout among eligible citizens and impose undue burdens on state election systems. As advocates for voting rights, it’s crucial to stay informed about such legislation and its potential implications for our democratic process.

📖 Read more: Brennan Center for Justice Article

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