LWV Opposes the SAVE Act

Under current US law, it is illegal for non-citizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. Additionally, we have robust processes to ensure that only eligible voters are casting ballots. However, Congress is about to vote on a bill that requires all eligible voters to provide citizenship documentation to register to vote. 

Under this law, every single American citizen would have to show very specific documents, like a passport or an original birth certificate, in person when registering to vote and anytime they update their voter registration. 

You may be among the millions of eligible voters who do not have the documentation required by this law, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, to prove your citizenship. The requirements of the SAVE Act would unnecessarily burden many communities of eligible voters.  The League of Women Voters opposes the SAVE Act.

 

💥save act lunch & learn July 18 - Register & promote!

The Office of Minnesota Secretary of State will host an important virtual Lunch & Learn on the dangers of the federal SAVE Act, which poses a serious threat to voter access. The panel will feature Secretary Steve Simon, Blue Earth County Auditor-Treasurer Mike Stalberger, and Michelle Witte, LWVMN Executive Director. This event will be held on Zoom on July 18th at noon; sign up below.

SAVE ACT BACKGROUND INFORMATION

One-page “SAVE Act Facts” (PDF)

The Threat to Voting by the SAVE Act and President's Executive Order - Clean Elections MN Conversation with MN Secretary of State Simon & ACLU National Political Advocacy Director, Deirdre Schifeling

The US House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on April 10 (LWVUS Response), which, if passed by the US Senate, would require citizenship documentation to register to vote in federal elections. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon released the following statement. A study done by a St. Thomas professor found that out of more than 13 million votes cast in Minnesota during a 10 year period, only three were cast by non-citizens. Moreover, voters found ineligible in Minnesota face serious penalties, including 5 years imprisonment, $10,000 fine, and deportation. (Additional Research: Unpacking Myths About Noncitizen Voting)

Michelle Witte, LWVMN Executive Director, spoke about the dangers of the the SAVE Act, especially to married women, in a KSTP/Associated Press story following it’s passage. If this bill becomes law, it would disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible American citizens (Brennan Center) especially historically marginalized voters (LWVUS Talking Points), increase costs for local election offices and effectively end third party and online voter registration.

 

updated 2025-06-19