The U.S. House just passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to require citizenship documentation to register to vote. Instead of simply needing a driver’s license to register to vote, citizens will instead need an “enhanced” driver’s license or their US birth certificate. This requirement makes it extra difficult for people of color and individuals with name changes to register to vote. Additionally, the SAVE Act would also impose an effective ban on both third-party voter registration and online registration. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

It is already illegal for non-citizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. Additionally, we have processes to ensure our elections are secure and that only eligible voters are casting ballots.

The bill’s requirement of a document, such as a passport or birth certificate, to prove American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections is unnecessary and seeks to divide us. It creates one more barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters do not have easy access to the necessary documents.

Legislation like the SAVE Act is another in a long list of tactics, like strict voter photo ID requirements, which seek to make it more difficult for voters of color and naturalized citizens to vote. More than 21 million Americans will have difficulty in accessing these extra documents, which may lead to a decrease in the size of the eligible electorate. Ultimately, Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote. In fact, we need to make it easier for citizens to vote.

Click here for the LWVMO fact sheet or here for the LWV Action Alert.