SAVE Act: A New Weapon Against Black and Brown Voters

April 15, 2025

The House has passed the SAVE Act, officially known as the "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act," with a 220-208 vote, requiring in-person documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Critics, including the ACLU and Legal Defense Fund, warn this legislation could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly women, people of color, and rural residents who may lack easy access to required documentation. The bill would effectively end online and mail voter registration, restrict voter registration drives, and allow lawsuits against election officials who do not enforce the new rules.

Who is affected

Black Americans, other people of color, and women
Poor people and rural residents without access to government offices
Naturalized citizens
Nearly 70 million women whose current legal names differ from those on their birth certificates due to marriage
Young voters without driver's licenses
Native American voters and first-time voters
Individuals with limited access to personal documentation

What action is being taken

The House has passed the SAVE Act by a 220-208 vote
Four Democrats broke ranks and supported the bill
The ACLU is condemning the bill and urging the Senate to reject the measure
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is actively opposing the legislation
Rep. Joe Morelle is fighting to stop the bill and protect Americans' voting rights

Why it matters

The legislation would create significant barriers to voter registration for millions of eligible voters
It would effectively end online and mail voter registration
Voter registration drives would be severely restricted or eliminated
Only half of all Americans—and just one-third of Black Americans—hold valid U.S. passports
Nearly half of all Black Americans under 30 do not have a driver's license with their current name and address
The bill would allow lawsuits against election officials who do not enforce the new rules
Racial turnout disparities have been widening over the last decade

What's next

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate with 20 Republican co-sponsors
Senate Republicans would need at least 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster to pass the bill
The fight to stop the bill continues as Rep. Morelle pledged to "do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box"

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint