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The SAVE Act saves nothing, takes our Freedom.

     

The GOP is at it again, resurrecting the SAVE act like a bad zombie.  The SAVE act is the GOP’s latest attempt at solving a problem that doesn’t exist, “securing” our election system.  Rapidly ramming through a poorly thought-out law which serves only to disenfranchise as many as 21 million Americans.  Creating barriers to eligible voters infringing on their right to vote by essentially establishing an unconstitutional poll tax.  And in typical Florida fashion, we have our own terrible version working through our legislature, more on that later.


 


Many folks will argue, “We should be required to show identification in order to vote.”  But this is not the primary goal of the SAVE act.  It seeks to require individuals provide “Primary Proof of Citizenship” at the time of registration.  “Primary proof of citizenship” includes an official certified birth certificate or passport.  Easy right?  Where is your official certified birth certificate?  Have you changed your birth name at some point, maybe when you married?  Your name no longer matches your birth certificate. Pull out that official name change document, you will need that too.  “Ok, what about a passport?”  52% of voters do not have an unexpired passport, and passports are expensive, $165 for the first time.  “Well, I have a REAL ID star on my driver’s license, that should work right?” NOPE.  In the SAVE act, REAL ID is not considered a definitive form of proof of citizenship. 

 

Let’s say you do have ready access to all these documents.  Now make a trip to your local election board to register.  Because the SAVE act says you have to present your documents IN PERSON.  Yep, in person.  During business hours.  Maybe across the county, most areas only have one location.  No more mail in registration.  No more registration events.    

 

Next, your board of elections will need to verify the authenticity of your documents.  Many boards do not have the resources, training or staffing to ensure verifications can take place in a timely fashion.  And if the election officials get it wrong, there are consequences.  Criminal penalties that may make them overly cautious about approving registrations.  

 

And of course, this is all to take place before the 2026 mid-term elections.  This bill is written to become effective the day it is enacted, providing limited time and no funding for states to implement.             

Similar legislation was passed in Kansas in 2011 with disastrous results for voters.  Due to the documentary proof requirements approximately 31,000 eligible voters, 12% of applicants, were blocked from registering to vote.    

 

Just prior to passing the House February 11,  on a mostly party line vote, additional restrictions to mail in voting were added.  Now off to the Senate.  It is time to act. 

The time is NOW to call your Senators and demand they vote NO on the SAVE act. Looking for a script?  Check out 5calls.org script here or use the 5Calls App.



 

Florida just can’t feel left out.  SB 1334/HB991, Second verse, same as the first.



This bill, making its way through the Florida State Legislature, similar to the federal SAVE act is again intended to require individuals to prove their citizenship.  Proof comes in the form of  “examples of primary citizenship”, same as stated above.  Where this bill differs is it DOES permit for the use of REAL ID as proof of voter eligibility.  Again, this is problematic for those who do not have this form of identification.  What about your 87-year-old grandmother who gave up her driver’s license and doesn’t have a REAL ID?  As an American citizen she still has a right to vote.  Where is her birth certificate?  And is her birth name the same name she has now?  Where is her marriage certificate?  Maybe she has a passport, but it’s expired.  Not good enough. This scenario doesn’t even address plenty of people who are disabled, or cannot afford a car, or use public transportation and have no reason for a driver’s license.  And this all again tracks back to an unconstitutional poll tax.  Requesting these official documents, if not readily available, takes time and money.

 

 

We must ACT NOW to Save America and Florida from the SAVE Act and SB 1334/HB991. 

Today, call your Senators in DC and your representatives and senators in Tallahassee.  Protect your freedom to choose, your right to vote. 

 

 

 

 

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