The League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg area is asking the U.S. Senate to avoid taking up the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act.
It was passed by the U.S. House almost two weeks ago to require a photo I.D. when voting, which is already law in Florida. The legislation also requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Lindsay Polega-Quigley is the vice president of the St. Petersburg chapter.
“It’s a longer form documentation, like a long form birth certificate, not just your standard birth certificate. Most people don’t have that copy anymore. They would have to re-request that which means it’s more expensive,” Polega-Quigley said.
Advocates also worry about the hurdles women may face before federal elections.
“If a woman marries a new spouse and changes her name or divorces and changes her name, she would have to request all new documentation, like a new passport with her proper married name,” Polega-Quigley said.
Members of the armed forces, who are sent to live at different bases, may also be impacted according to voting advocates.
“Each time they relocate, they need to re-register to vote in their new voting location. If they move from Florida to Texas, they will have to re-register to vote,” Polega-Quigley said.
In a post on social media, Sarasota Republican Rep. Greg Steube announced his support for the measure to become law.
“This is common sense legislation the American people demand,” Steube said.
Pinellas Rep. Anna Paulina Luna sent a letter urging senate leadership to take whatever steps necessary to pass the SAVE America Act.
“It is the most basic safeguard necessary to protect the integrity of our elections,” Luna said.
Tampa Rep. Kathy Castor doesn’t suspect the legislation is about noncitizens voting. The congresswoman said it’s a distraction.
“What this is, it’s intended to suppress the vote because Republican policies and Trump policies are very unpopular,” Castor said.
There’s similar legislation being taken up in Tallahassee in HB 991 and SB 1334.
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