Several years ago, I went to the Secretary of State’s office with my driver’s license and birth certificate to obtain an enhanced driver’s license. I took my original birth certificate from 1953 with a raised seal. My birth certificate was rejected because of a lack of last names from both my parents. The wording on it was, “This is to certify that Nancy Hunt McClements (daughter) of George E. and Jean E. was born on….”
Getting the new birth certificate was a complicated online process, costing $75, and taking 3 weeks to receive in the mail. For many, this would be difficult. My new birth certificate does not match my new married name, which may be a problem in the future.
These are my questions raised with the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act:
• Will I ever need proof of citizenship again through any election process and will my new birth certificate qualify with my maiden name.
• If I am currently registered and do not move, do we ever have to show proof of citizenship?
• Can I continue my process of absentee voting that I have done in the past?
• If I do move to a different state, what do I need to get to show citizenship to register to vote?
• Does a marriage certificate help anywhere?
• Does the fact that my maiden name has always been my middle name on my driver’s license help?
• My understanding of legislation is that laws are passed, and fine details are ironed out later. Is that true? Any insights on that?
Election Day is Nov. 3 — today is March 16. Very little time.
The following are links to the SAVE Act replacing the National Registration Act of 1993, which relies on driver’s licenses.
The SAVE Act. The National Registration Act of 1993.
Please take the time to read about the different acts affecting our elections.
I care about fair and free elections. Any ugly partisan talk or opinions about past elections or politicians will be deleted. I’m looking for information. IMO, there is a need for more clarification for the act to go into law. Instead of being divisive and voting along party lines with little analysis, why not do what’s best for this country we love and come to solutions most will agree upon.
The reality is, it is hard to know which party this act will hurt but simply add mass confusion and division.
Nancy Johnson
Brighton
We already have laws on the books and they have worked.
It is NOT A PROBLEM by any factual basis. All it does is make it harder for women and poor citizens to vote.
Yes…all the American citizens.
The issue is making people prove they actually are citizens to cast those votes.
People who are against Americans having proper identity documents to be able to demonstrate that they are bona fide American citizens and eligible to vote have always relied on the nonsensical argument that “we don’t have a problem with fraud so we don’t need laws to prevent it”.
Now…apply that same logic to laws against other crimes. Like rape, for instance. Imagine telling people that we don’t have to have laws against rape because there isn’t enough documented instances of rape to justify laws against it and we really need to demonstrate that rapes are so numerous that we should do something about it. But…let’s wait until we can document that there are enough rapes happening to justify spending time making a law against it.
Do you see how stupid it sounds now to say that we need to have a voter fraud problem before we make laws to prevent it???
This act will hurt American voters of all stripes! Go to the League of Women Voters Livingston County or to the State of Michigan League of Women Voters website to see a very clear non partisan analysis of the Save Act.
All American citizens deserve to have their voices heard through the electoral process.
Non partisan organizations have repeatedly reviewed past elections in Michigan and determined that they were fair, safe, accurate- current practices will continue to ensure our democratic constitutional rights continue.
Feeling unhappy or disappointed in a past result is no reason to institute new and egregious road blocks that will disenfranchise many Americans from this fundamental democratic process.