Letter: Have you read the SAVE Act?

ByLetter to the Editor Reading Time: 2 minutes

Mr. Matthew Larson made some inaccurate remarks in his recent Letter to the editor regarding the SAVE ACT.

First, I have read H.R. 22. The first sentence states, “AN ACT To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.” As can be seen by the first sentence, the SAVE Act is an act for registering to vote. The “problem” that exists is that we currently have no way to keep non-citizens from registering to vote. Who wants non-citizens to vote in our Federal elections?

Mr. Larson appears to be the one who has not read the SAVE Act. The act is about proving citizenship at the time of registering to vote. The only time one must present proof of citizenship at the polling place is in those states that allow same-day registration and voting. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is required. Otherwise, one’s driver’s license is all that is needed to vote.

The SAVE Act doesn’t even address name changes. “Under strict documentary proof rules”, and why shouldn’t rules be strict? Bringing a “paper trail” is only required by State laws, not the SAVE Act. Low-income, elderly and rural Americans all have these documents, and they all use them often. Anyone who works, pays bills and collects “government” benefits must have these documents.

“Election integrity means ensuring every eligible citizen can cast ballot” is true enough. How do we ensure ONLY eligible citizens are allowed to vote? It is disingenuous to claim that requiring documented proof of citizenship disenfranchises legal voters; it does not. Legal voters are those who have proven they are US citizens and have a legal right to vote.

I totally agree that “If we want to restore faith in our elections, maybe we should start by telling the truth about how they actually work.” Mr. Larson and those who think we don’t need rules should read the bills. I do.

Jim Arvin
Rutherford Township
Martin County

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