By So, what’s the deal with the SAVE Act? The SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) is stirring up a storm. The House already passed the Act. Now, the Act is sitting in the Senate like a ticking time bomb.
Now, the big question is on everyone’s mind. Will the SAVE Act pass the Senate and become law?
The answer is that if it does, millions of Americans could find themselves locked out of the voting booth. This is not so because they are not citizens. Also, it is not because they have done anything wrong.
In fact, they will not be able to vote because they don’t have the “right” paperwork. Of course, it sounds complicated!
Therefore, read on to get a better idea of what the SAVE Act means and how it will impact many voters.
The Bill That Could Break the Ballot
The following are some of the major features of the SAVE Act:
- It compels people to register to vote in person. Hence, there will no longer be online or mail-in options.
- You will need to provide a birth certificate or passport that matches your current legal name.
- Get automatic voter registration programs.
- Make voter registration drives way harder.
Now, imagine you are a rural voter, a military member stationed overseas, or someone who just moved and needs to update your info. Then, you will have to physically appear at a location (possibly hours away) to correct your voter registration.
Hence, that is not merely inconvenient. Rather, that is voter suppression dressed up in bureaucracy.
Will the SAVE Act Pass the Senate? Let’s Talk Numbers
The math is simple. In this case, Republicans hold a 53-44 majority in the Senate. However, to pass the SAVE Act, they need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. That means they need seven Democrats (or independents) to flip. Although it is not impossible, it is certainly not a sure thing.
In general, Democrats are opposed to it. They say it’s a direct attack on voting rights, especially for women, people of color, low-income folks, and the LGBTQ+ community. Moreover, they have receipts.
According to the Brennan Center, 21 million Americans don’t have access to citizenship documents. Also, 146 million people don’t have a passport. Hence, it shows that the stakes are high.
Who Gets Hurt If the SAVE Act Passes?
Some problems are really complicated. This bill does not hit everyone equally. Rather, it hits hardest where it hurts most:
- Married women who changed their last name. Their birth certificate don’t match.
- When it comes to Transgender people, their IDs don’t reflect their name or gender.
- Low-income voters often cannot afford a passport or the time off to travel.
- Tribal and rural communities have to travel long distances to registration centers.
- Military personnel stationed abroad often face difficulties with mail-in registration.
Now, this is where the issue really goes out of hand. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. So, what is the SAVE Act really solving? Honestly, nothing. Also, it solves a problem that doesn’t exist, while creating a whole host of new ones.
Climate, Voting, and the Bigger Picture
Primarily, the Act does not adequately address the fact that voting is a climate issue. In fact, the communities that are most impacted by climate change are low-income neighborhoods, Indigenous tribes, and people of color.
In addition to that, they are the ones most likely to be disenfranchised by the SAVE Act. Moreover, if they can not vote, they will not be able to elect leaders. Hence, no one will be there to fight for clean air, safe water, and climate justice.
So this isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about power. Who gets to have a say in the future? Who gets left behind?
What Does the SAVE Act Mean for Regular Citizens?
Let’s cut through the legal jargon. For most people, the SAVE Act means more hurdles to overcome just to vote. Of course, you are a citizen and you have voted for years.
But what about now? You may need to obtain a birth certificate, apply for a passport, or wait in line at a government office. This is to confirm that you are already a valued member.
Think about single moms juggling two jobs, college students living out of state, seniors who don’t drive anymore, and people in rural areas with no DMV nearby. In fact, this bill doesn’t make voting safer. Rather, it makes it harder.
Basically, it is not just a little harder. “Skip voting altogether” is a bit harder.
Moreover, things get even more complicated if your name has changed. Let’s say you got married or transitioned, then your documents might not match. That mismatch might lead to rejection. Hence, when you have no vote, you have no voice.
Hence, this is not just about politics. Rather, it is about people, real lives, and real consequences. The SAVE Act sounds like it’s about security, but for millions of Americans, it’s just another wall between them and the ballot box.
What Can You Do?
The following are some of the basic steps you must take if you do not like the SAVE Act:
- Contact your senators and ask them to vote against this measure.
- Text “SAVE” to 877 877 — easy way to get connected.
- Share this information with your friends, family, and coworkers.
- Stay loud — silence is what lets bills like this slide through.
Will the SAVE Act Pass the Senate? We Decide That.
So, back to the big question: Will the SAVE Act pass the Senate?
To be honest, it depends on us if we stay quiet. Hence, if we speak up, maybe not. Basically, the Senate needs 60 votes. That means there’s still time to stop it. However, time is already ticking.
In fact, this is not merely another bill. Rather, it is a test of our democracy. Hence, whether we pass or fail — well, that’s up to us.
What are your opinions on the implications of the SAVE Act? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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