The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 13, 2026
Last year’s version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, died in the U.S. Senate. This year’s versions, the SAVE America Act and the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA Act, are even more restrictive. The SAVE America Act just passed the U.S. House.
All versions of the bills require proof of citizenship documents to register, an attempt to curb almost non-existent noncitizen voting. But it will deter an estimated 69 million women whose married name may not match their birth certificate. For others, the Brennan Center for Justice reported last year that an estimated 21 million Americans don’t have ready access to citizenship documents, and because the SAVE Act bills would take effect shortly after passage, millions could be disenfranchised.
The Brennan Center notes that MEGA Act, a much larger federal overhaul of voting rules, also requires proof of residency, adding another barrier. An estimated 9% of Americans moved within their state last year, and may not have updated their driver’s license with their new address.
The MEGA version of the SAVE Act ends universal mail voting in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington State, and DC, and end mail ballot grace periods, among scores of other restrictions.
The MEGA Act and other SAVE Act versions are not likely to pass the Senate, but we’ve linked to their summaries at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (2025) Bill Which Could Disenfranchise Millions, the SAVE Act, Passes the U.S. House; Unlikely to Pass the Senate
Brennan Center for Justice – New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting
Campaign Legal Center – What You Need to Know About the SAVE Act
US Congress – H.R.7296 – SAVE America Act
US Congress – H.R.7300 – Make Elections Great Again Act
The Cato Institute – “MEGA” Bill Supersizes the Federal Government’s Role in Election Administration
WGME – Fact Check Team: MEGA Act vs. SAVE Act, the latest push for stricter voting rules
The 19th – House passes elections overhaul bill that could make it harder for married women to vote
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, ACLU US, League of Women Voters US, Bipartisan Policy Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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