1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22), which proposes requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. While the intent to prevent non-citizen voting is understandable, this legislation could inadvertently disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, including many in our community. Approximately half of American citizens do not possess a valid passport, one of the primary forms of acceptable documentation under the SAVE Act. Additionally, many married women may face challenges presenting birth certificates that reflect their current legal names due to name changes resulting from marriage. This discrepancy could further hinder their ability to register to vote. Moreover, the bill would eliminate or disrupt widely used voter registration methods such as registration by mail, online registration, and automatic voter registration. These changes could create significant barriers for voters who rely on these convenient options. It's important to note that current laws already require voters to affirm their citizenship when registering, and instances of non-citizen voting are exceedingly rare. Therefore, the additional requirements imposed by the SAVE Act may be both unnecessary and harmful to voter participation. I urge you to consider the potential negative impacts of the SAVE Act on voter accessibility and to oppose its passage. Ensuring that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.