Democracy in America would not exist without the right to vote. Yet being able to cast a ballot that counts is one of the hardest-fought battles in American history – one that once again takes center stage.
Race and ethnicity have been central to the evolution of voting rights movements in the United States. Historically marginalized communities, particularly Black Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, have faced significant barriers to voting, requiring organized activism to combat systemic disenfranchisement.
Even after the hard-fought Civil Rights movement culminating in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the fight is far from over. This “crown jewel” of the civil rights movement was gutted by a devastating Supreme Court ruling in 2013 that sent a chilling message to African Americans, the Latino community, people with disabilities, students, and many others who continue to face politically-motivated hurdles when voting. Trump and his ilk are whipping up hysteria about mass illegal voting that simply doesn’t exist, then using that hysteria to fuel an onslaught of voter suppression laws—all to keep certain people from exercising their right to vote. Since the 2020 Presidential election, states have passed hundreds of restrictive voting laws, demonstrating an ongoing policy of voter suppression.
And now, at the federal level, we’ve got the SAVE Act – which of course, saves nothing except the future of the Republican Party. Trump has explicitly stated that the SAVE Act, if passed, will grab power and guarantee election wins for Republicans. According to the Legal Defense Fund, the SAVE Act will:
Require every American to provide documentary proof of citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate) to register or re-register to vote.
Functionally eliminate online and mail-in voter registration, and other voter registration efforts by requiring people to produce citizenship documents in person to an election official. Only 6% of voters currently register in person at an elections office.
Put election officials at unnecessary legal risk for trying to enact cumbersome requirements in their state or locality.
Essentially create a new poll tax for voters who would need to purchase additional documentation.
Millions of eligible voters not be able to register or re-register to vote because they lack documentation. Among those affected will be:
70 million married people who have changed their last name from the name on their birth certificate
Nearly half of Black Americans under 30 who do not have ID with their current name and address
146 million Americans who do not have a passport
Rural voters who may live far from election offices and would not easily be able to register in person
People with disabilities and older voters who may not be able to register in person.
The SAVE Act may be up for a vote today! This is serious, people. It’s time to raise our voices while we still have them. Join us tomorrow, 11 am - 1 pm at Rotary Park in Princeton!