But now, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and Rep. Brian Steil (R-WI-1) introduced two new bills – the SAVE America Act and the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act – that again attempt to impose proof of citizenship requirements and further restrict voting rights for millions of Americans. These bills are nothing more than SAVE Act 2.0. The SAVE America Act passed the House a few weeks ago, and is now headed to the Senate.
Urge Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act and the MEGA Act.
Background
Introduced by Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21), the SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296/S. 1383) would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate, passport, or Real ID) when registering to vote or updating their voter registration in federal elections. 21 million Americans lack ready access to these documents. It also requires states to share voter rolls with the Department of Homeland Security to verify that voters are citizens, or voters would have to provide documentary proof of citizenship again at the polls to cast a ballot.
Introduced by Representative Brian Steil (R-WI-1), the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act (H.R. 7300) would implement similar proof of citizenship requirements as the SAVE America Act. In addition, it would:
- Require photo IDs to vote (and prohibiting the use of student IDs, even those issued by public universities)
- Abolish universal vote by mail (instead mandating that voters apply to receive a mail-in ballot) and require that all mail-in ballots be received by Election Day (even though some states accept ballots that are mailed by Election Day)
- Mandate voter roll purges every 30 days, eliminating the existing prohibition on purges 90 days before Election Day
- Establish a private right-of-action, allowing individuals to sue local election officials who they believe violate this law
These bills purport to address non-citizen voter fraud, but non-citizen voting is already illegal and extremely rare. A Brennan Center for Justice study following the 2016 election found just 30 cases of suspected non-citizen voting out of 23.5 million ballots – just 0.000123 percent.
Instead, these bills would restrict voting rights for millions of Americans. More than 145 million Americans do not have a passport, and 70 million women do not have a birth certificate that matches their legal married name. This legislation would affect anyone who has changed their name, whether that is for marriage, divorce, or transition. It would also affect survivors of domestic and sexual violence who may have had to change their name for safety reasons or do not have access to their documents because of their abuser.
By implementing photo ID requirements, restricting mail-in voting, and mandating voter roll purges, the MEGA Act would also disproportionately harm elderly voters, disabled voters, rural voters, low-income voters, voters of color, student voters, and voters with tribal IDs and voters in U.S. territories and voters impacted by natural disasters.
The SAVE America Act and Make Elections Great Again Act undermine the right to vote, disproportionately impacts women, demonizes immigrants, puts election workers at risk, and sows doubt in our democratic processes. Urge Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act and the Make Elections Great Again Act.
Jewish Values:
Our Reform Jewish values inspire our work to ensure equal access to the ballot. Rabbi Yitzchak taught that “a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud, B’rachot 55a). Furthermore, in his final speech to the Israelites, Moses invites everyone into the covenant, saying, (atem nitzavim hayom kulchem) – You stand this day, all of you, before the Eternal your God,” calling all of us to stand before God an actively shape our collective future (Deuteronomy 29:9).
In keeping with the insight of these teachings, it is our duty to ensure that all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted. The Reform Jewish Movement, knowing that the right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, strongly supports legislation that protects the rights of all citizens to vote without obstacle.
For More Information
For more information, please contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Jessica Cadmus (jcadmus@rac.org).
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