Protect voting rights—oppose the SAVE Act
The SAVE Act, introduced by Republican Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), is a voter disenfranchisement bill, pure and simple. It would impact millions of Americans and effectively end voting from abroad, due to the new voter registration requirements it would impose.
The SAVE Act amends the National Voter Registration Act to require voters registering or changing their registration information to provide ID that hundreds of millions of Americans do not have, and forcing that ID to be presented in person. These requirements severely restrict access to voting.
Furthermore, it imposes criminal penalties on election workers if they register voters who fail to provide documentary proof of their U.S. citizenship and will cost many millions of dollars to overhaul voter registration systems, pay for increased administrative workload in election offices, and cover legal and compliance costs across every state. Talk about wasteful spending!
The SAVE act claims to be about preventing non-citizen voting, but it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in American elections and there is no widespread evidence of noncitizens voting in U.S. elections. Rather, it creates unnecessary barriers that will disenfranchise eligible voters, overwhelm election officials, and sow distrust in the electoral process.
Instead of protecting democracy, it undermines it by making it harder for Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. Protect voting rights—oppose the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R.22/S.128).
NOTE: The Bill is a priority of the Republican House majority and is expected to come up for a vote in the coming days. After that it will go to the Senate. We will update this blog post & the calls to action as the situation evolves.
Actions to take
1) Call your Representative to let them know that this bill would undermine your right to vote, cost them votes, and to vote NO when the time comes
Here is a script:
Good morning/afternoon! My name is (YOUR NAME) and I am constituent of Rep <name>. My zip code is XXXXX. I’m an American citizen living abroad and I care deeply about my country. I am calling to ask Rep <name> to oppose the SAVE Act, HR 22. This bill would completely disenfranchise me because I am not able to register to vote in person. Will the congress(wo)man be voting against it and protect my right to vote?
2) Submit a testimonial (in video or written form) which can be shared on DA social media and with key Congresspeople. (Instructions & where to upload here)
3) Sign up here to receive regular Take Action alerts about what you can do to defend democracy and fight back against the Trump-Musk take-over of our government
SAVE ACT FAQ (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R.22/S.128))
1) What are the documentation requirements the SAVE act would impose?
As referred to in the bill, “documentary proof of United States citizenship” means a passport, a (enhanced) REAL ID, or a combination of other valid, government issued ID’s.
2) What does the Act say RE: Abroad/UOCAVA voters?
The act does not speak to abroad voters specifically. It refers to the act of registering to vote, which some States require annually. It also calls on States to periodically review / purge their voter rolls. If an abroad voter was accidentally purged, they would still need to appear in person with the required documentation to re-register.
3) I’m already registered to vote - what does this mean for me?
If your State purges its voter registration files, you would need to register again, and present your proof of citizenship in person. If you need to change your name, or your registration address, you would need to register again, and present your proof of citizenship in person.
4) Who will be disenfranchised by the bill?
The massive group of Americans this would disenfranchise includes:
- Military and civilians abroad
- Voters without a passport or up to date birth certificate
- All mail-in registration voters, which often includes
- College students
- Seniors
- Military in the United States
- Rural voters
- Workers who are not eligible to take time off from work to register
- People who have changed their name and have no passport
5) What is the impact on Local elections offices/election officials?
Every election office across the U.S. will be impacted by this bill because it mandates that they:
- Require all mail-in voters to present their proof of citizenship documentation in person,
- Accept the burden of being subject to criminal penalties
Not only will this significantly increase the strain on an already strained system, but it will negate the millions of dollars of current infrastructure that is already in place across all 50 states and DC for voter registration and cost millions of dollars to implement
6) Which Democrats voted for the act in the last Congress?
- Don Davis NC1
- Henry Cuellar TX28
- Jared Golden ME2
- Vicente Gonzalez TX34
- Marie Perez WA3
7) Is DA coordinating with other groups of impacted people?
As a State party, we cannot coordinate with 501c3 and c4 organizations, though we can work towards the same objectives.
8) How does the SAVE Act Undermine Voting Rights?
Restricts Voter Access
- Requires passports, birth certificates, or enhanced drivers licenses—documents many Americans lack & which are time consuming and costly to acquire
- Threatens mail/online registration, used by millions; disadvantaging abroad voters, those with limited transportation, opportunity, etc, and requiring states to overhaul online registration methods
Criminalizes Election Workers
- Mistakes in voter registration could lead to harsh penalties, discouraging civic engagement.
Criminalizes & Overburdens Election Officials
- Eliminating streamlined registration will cause long lines and higher costs.
- Increased workloads could strain resources and discourage participation.
Encourages Voter Purges & Disenfranchises Marginalized Communities
- Low-income individuals, women, people of color, and rural residents would be disproportionately affected.