In a political climate already tense around voting rights, the U.S. House recently passed the SAVE Act, or the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. At first glance, the bill sounds like a common-sense measure to protect election integrity—but a deeper look reveals sweeping changes that could make it significantly harder for millions of eligible Americans to register to vote.
From married women and low-income citizens to rural communities and transgender individuals, the bill could reshape who has access to the ballot box in future elections.
Let’s break it down.
What Is the SAVE Act?
At its core, the SAVE Act requires in-person proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone registering to vote. That means no more registering online, no more mail-in forms, and no more third-party voter drives. You must show up—physically—and provide documents like a passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a combination of ID and supporting proof.
Sounds straightforward, right?
Well, here’s where things get complicated.
Why Critics Are Sounding the Alarm
1. It Could Block Millions of Married Women From Registering
Roughly 69 million married women in the U.S. have changed their last names. That means their current ID may not match their birth certificate—something the SAVE Act requires to prove citizenship. While a passport could bypass this issue, it’s not a cheap or fast solution. At $130, with processing times stretching weeks, it’s not realistic for everyone—especially if they’re registering close to a deadline.
What’s more concerning? The bill doesn’t explain how to resolve these name mismatch issues.
2. It Creates Hurdles for Low-Income and Rural Voters
Not everyone has a passport or easy access to vital records. Over 146 million Americans don’t own a passport, and 21 million say they’ve misplaced their birth certificates. For low-income voters, the cost of replacing these documents can become a hidden fee to vote—something voting rights groups liken to a modern poll tax.
Rural voters face an additional burden: long drives to registration offices. If you’re juggling a job, kids, or other responsibilities, finding the time and transportation to show up in person isn’t always feasible.
3. It Leaves Transgender Voters in a Legal Limbo
Transgender individuals often face ID mismatches—names, gender markers, or appearances that don’t align with their original birth documents. Under the SAVE Act’s strict requirements, these mismatches could raise red flags during the registration process, even when the individual is a legal citizen with valid identification.
The bill provides no guidance on how to navigate this, which has civil rights groups deeply concerned.
Is the SAVE Act Even Constitutional?
Here’s where it gets messy.
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) already outlines how voter registration should work—and it allows people to affirm their citizenship with a signed statement, no paperwork required. The SAVE Act directly challenges that, seeking to amend the NVRA and impose stricter documentation requirements.
In similar cases, courts have struck down laws that demanded documentary proof of citizenship, ruling they violated federal law and the Voting Rights Act. So, even if the SAVE Act becomes law, it’s likely to face legal challenges that could drag on for years.
Who Does the SAVE Act Affect the Most?
-
Married women with name changes
-
Low-income voters without access to required documents
-
Rural residents far from voter registration sites
-
Transgender individuals with mismatched ID
-
Disabled voters, students, and active military members who often rely on remote or third-party registration services
In short: anyone without easy access to time, transportation, or legal documents could struggle to register under this law.
Proponents of the SAVE Act argue that it’s necessary to prevent noncitizen voting. But data from numerous studies—including those by the Brennan Center for Justice—have shown that noncitizen voting is extremely rare, almost nonexistent.
On the flip side, the act could make it harder for actual citizens to vote, especially in marginalized communities already facing barriers to participation. Critics call it “voter suppression in disguise,” and say the bill does far more harm than good.
What Happens Next?
Although the SAVE Act passed the House, it still has to make it through the Senate. If it becomes law, it could redefine how Americans register to vote—and who gets left behind in the process.
As debates around voting access continue, one thing is clear: this isn't just about paperwork. It’s about who gets a voice in our democracy—and who doesn’t.