The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 3, 2025
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
Last month, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas reintroduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, mandating proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, and requiring only certain types of ID be used. Millions of eligible voters may not have the documents it requires – AND it’s been fast tracked in Congress.
With federal law already prohibiting noncitizen voting, and no evidence of widespread voting by noncitizens, the SAVE Act will likely do more harm than good. A 2024 Brennan Center for Justice study found that 21 million Americans – 9% – don’t have ready access to citizenship documents.
Under the SAVE Act, only a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, Military ID, U.S. Passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers could be used to register and vote in federal elections, including mail-in voting.
CAL Fire estimates wildfires destroyed over 16,000 California homes, many containing residents’ birth certificates. Elsewhere, the poor, young voters and college students, the elderly, and the disabled, may not have ready access to their documents.
The SAFE Act’s ID requirement also creates a financial barrier for some voters. New Hampshire, charges $60 for a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, and its $10.00 non-driver IDs are not compliant. A first- time U.S. passport application costs $130.00.
Votebeat reports that the SAVE Act’s inclusion in a House rules package makes it harder to amend or defeat.
We’ve linked the text and analysis at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Congress – H.R.8281 – SAVE Act
Democracy Docket – House Republicans to Prioritize Controversial SAVE Act in New Session
Center for American Progress – The SAVE Act Would Disenfranchise Millions of Citizens
Brennan Center for Justice – The SAVE Act would be one of the worst voting laws in congressional history.
State of New Hampshire – What you need to know regarding REAL ID
CAL Fire – The LA County fires devastated homes in the wildland urban interface. Here’s what that is
Voting Rights Lab – There Are Ways to Modernize Our Elections. The SAVE Act Isn’t One of Them.
Groups Taking Action:
America’s Voice, Campaign Legal Center, League of Women Voters, The Civics Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #SAVEAct #VoterSuppression #USCongress