U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
On behalf of our 3 million members and the 50 million students they educate, support, and prepare to participate in our democracy, we urge you to vote NO on the SAVE America Act, S. 1383. Votes on this issue may be included in the NEA Report Card on the 119th Congress.
The SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of voters. This legislation is a cynical “solution” to a problem that does not exist: rampant voting by noncitizens.
S. 1383 would dramatically reshape how Americans register and vote, limiting our ability to make our voices heard at the polls. It is intended to further reduce turnout among particular groups of voters—including voters of color, younger voters, low-income voters, and voters with disabilities.
The SAVE America Act is nothing more than a “show us your papers” bill. It would require registration in person at state elections offices with documentary proof of citizenship, whether registering for the first time or simply changing an address or making another minor update. This would be burdensome for the many citizens who live far from elections offices or do not have access to birth certificates, passports, or naturalization papers. People who have had their names legally changed could face hurdles because the name on their identification and birth certificate would not match. Married women would be particularly harmed.
The SAVE America Act would require states to conduct frequent voter purges based on databases that are not automatically updated. Millions of Americans would be unable to register to vote online or by mail, methods that have modernized voting procedures, are offered across the country, and are used by millions of people—particularly those with disabilities or limited mobility.
We also urge you to oppose any amendments that would cause additional harm, including any that attack the LGBTQ+ community—particularly transgender youth. Such amendments would only serve to dehumanize transgender, intersex, and non-binary people, leading to further divisions in our communities while also endangering lives.
The SAVE America Act threatens to reverse decades of progress in broadening eligible voters’ access to the polls. Building an infrastructure that enfranchised more Americans symbolized our democracy in the 20th century. Congress must now defend our democracy by ensuring that eligible voters are not denied their right to vote. Please vote NO on the SAVE America Act, S.1383, and oppose any amendments that would worsen its effects.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Johnson Trinca
Director of Government Relations
National Education Association
