There are efforts underway — at both the federal and state level — that could make it much harder for everyday Americans to vote. Every post-election audit, independent study, and official investigation has found that voter fraud is extremely rare. The SAVE America Act and similar Michigan constitutional amendment petitions would suppress votes — not protect them. The League of Women Voters opposes these efforts. Here’s why:
The SAVE America Act requires citizens registering for the first time, or re-registering to update their registration information, to visit their clerk in person with a document proving citizenship, like a birth certificate or passport. Consider these facts:
• More than 21 million Americans don’t have access to these kinds of documents
• 69 million women and 4 million men have a birth certificate that doesn’t match their current legal name
• Half of all Americans don’t have a passport
• A Tribal ID doesn’t show place of birth, so it would not qualify
• Even a military ID alone isn’t enough. Service members would also need to bring their full military record of service showing U.S. birth each and every time they register or re-register to vote.
• To register to vote, you’d have to show up in person at an election office during business hours, making it more difficult for millions of citizens.
• An amendment to the SAVE America Act prohibits universal mail-in voting.
• The SAVE America Act would require states to turn over their complete, unredacted voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security.
• Election officials/employees would be liable for criminal penalties for incorrectly registering a voter.
What can you do?
• Encourage your Senators to hold the line against the SAVE America Act and ask your Michigan Representatives to oppose the state level bills.
• Don’t stay quiet — talk to your neighbors, friends, and family about what’s at stake.
• Learn more at https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7296/text
