The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 24, 2025

Voting proof of citizenship efforts are afoot in Michigan while voters await the outcome of the federal SAVE Act and a Trump executive order requiring similar restrictions. This, despite no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting in Michigan, or anywhere else in the U.S.

In Michigan, a constitutional amendment which failed to achieve a two-thirds majority in the legislature, just received the go-ahead to collect signatures for a citizen ballot initiative instead.  If organizers meet the signature requirements, it could appear on the 2026 ballot.

The Michigan proposal require any new registering voters to show QUOTE “a birth certificate, passport and/or other documents,”  and would eliminate the use of sworn affidavits for voters without approved IDs.  Voters without citizenship documents could cast a provisional ballot, but must return with the documents within six days for it to count.  

While that may keep the 20 -that “2-0”- alleged Michigan noncitizens from voting,  

one in nine Americans don’t have ready access to citizenship documents, and over 5.8 million Michigan citizens don’t own a U.S. Passport, according to the Center for American Progress.    

On national proof of citizenship front, a federal circuit court ruling on President Donald Trump’s March 25th order is expected by April 24th, and the SAVE Act is in the U.S, Senate but unlikely to overcome the filibuster.

We have links to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl.  

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – New Trump Executive Order Attempts to Bypass Congress & States to Require Proof of Citizenship Documents & Mandate Election Deadlines
Michigan Advance/Votebeat – Michigan House GOP proposes proof-of-citizenship requirement for all voters
Michigan Advance – Board of State Canvassers greenlights petition seeking to block noncitizens from voting in Michigan
Center for American Progress – U.S. Passport ownership by state
Michigan Live – See how Michigan’s U.S. House members voted on bill (SAVE Act) requiring voters’ proof of citizenship

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MI, League of Women Voters MI, Promote the Vote MI

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #PromotetheVote #HJR B  #Michigan #ProofofCitizenship

The post Michigan Considers Proof of Citizenship Requirements While Awaiting Outcome of the SAVE Act Vote and Challenge to Trump’s Exec. Order appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 14, 2025

The SAVE Act, which we’ve been following since January, passed the U.S. House April 10th. The restrictive voting bill, like President Trump’s recent executive order, requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and would end online voter registration. It’s not likely to pass the Senate.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, attempts to keep noncitizens from voting, which is already illegal and there is no evidence of widespread voting by noncitizens in any state.  But its requirements that citizenship documents be submitted in-person at registration or to make a simple address change, could upend the U.S. election system.  The Center for American Progress points out it would end online and mail-in voter registration in 42 states.   

As we recently noted, one in nine Americans may not have ready access to a birth certificate, and an estimated 69 million women with a married name may not have a birth certificate that matches.  U.S. Passports are an option for some, but an estimated 49% do not have a valid passport, according to the U.S. State Department. The logistics and impact of such legislation are staggering.

It passed 220 to 208 in the House, but needs 60 votes in the Senate to overcome the filibuster, so it’s unlikely to pass.  

We’ve linked to analysis of the SAVE Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Rep. Chip Roy (R) TX – Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to protect the integrity and sanctity of American elections
U.S. Congress – Text of the SAVE Act
National Conference of State Legislatures – 9 Things to Know About the Proposed SAVE Act

NPR – The House has passed the Trump-backed SAVE Act. Here are 8 things to know
Center for American Progress – The SAVE Act: Overview and Facts

Newsweek – Republicans Reject SAVE Act Amendments Aimed at Protecting Women’s Votes

Groups Taking Action:

Declaration for American Democracy, The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, US Vote Foundation, Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO)

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

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #SAVEAct #USHouse #Disenfranchised @WomenVote

The post Bill Which Could Disenfranchise Millions, the SAVE Act, Passes the U.S. House; Unlikely to Pass the Senate appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 4, 2025

With a vote on the SAVE Act imminent in the U.S. House, Secretaries of State, pro-voter groups and elections officials are voicing alarm at likely widespread disenfranchisement of eligible voters and an unfunded mandate by Congress.  

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act’s sponsor seeks to keep “foreign nationals” from voting in federal elections – already illegal –  without any evidence of widespread noncitizen voting in any state.  

It will, however, keep eligible Americans from voting.  It mandates proof of citizenship to register or when updating records, but limits that proof to a birth certificate, U.S. Passport, or naturalization papers. Nine percent of Americans don’t have those documents readily available, and because they have to be presented in person, working Americans, seniors and the disabled will all be impacted.  Driver’s licenses, even REAL ID-compliant ones, can’t be used. Even with a birth certificate, 69 million married women changed their name upon marriage, and 146 million Americans don’t own a valid passport, according to the Center for American Progress.

The group Declaration for American Democracy just submitted a letter from over 100 member organizations, citing its impact on rural voters, voters of color, women and victims of natural disasters.  Election officials convened by Issue One cited criminal penalties for errors and the unfunded costs to implement it.   Fourteen secretaries of state and counting now oppose the bill.

We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Rep. Chip Roy (R) TX – Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to protect the integrity and sanctity of American elections
U.S. Congress – Text of the SAVE Act
National Conference of State Legislatures – 9 Things to Know About the Proposed SAVE Act
Center for American Progress – The SAVE Act: Overview and Facts
WMTW – Secretaries of state call on Congress to vote against the SAVE Act
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison – Opposition to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act 
Election Officials Convened by Issue One – Opposition to the SAVE Act (H.R. 22, S. 128) – Unfunded, Operationally Unrealistic, and Legally Risky for Election Officials

Groups Taking Action:

Declaration for American Democracy, The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, US Vote Foundation, Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO)

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 #SAVEAct #Disenfranchised #VoterSuppression #FreedomtoVote

The post Secretaries of State, Pro-Voter Groups and Election Officials Submit Letters Opposing the SAVE Act, Likely to Disenfranchise Millions of Americans in Effort to Block Noncitizens appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 28, 2025

President Donald Trump issued an executive order March 25th implementing portions of the likely doomed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or ‘SAVE’ Act.  Among its restrictive provisions are a documentary proof of citizenship to register and vote, potentially disenfranchising millions.

Trump’s new order, entitled PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS,  withholds federal funding from any state which does not implement the use of the National Voter Registration Form and mandates proof of citizenship documents, including a birth certificate, naturalization papers, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a U.S. Passport.  A 2024 study found one in nine Americans don’t have ready access to those documents, and when they do, the documents often don’t reflect name and address changes over time.

The order also would force states to end mail-in ballot grace periods, restricting ballot deadlines to election day.  It also demands states report illegal voting to the federal government, and directs the Attorney General to withhold federal grants if they don’t.  Such requirements attempt to circumvent state voting rights expansions, such as Michigan’s 2022 passage of Proposition 2.  It allows states access to any federal agency database, including Homeland Security and Social Security, as a means of verifying voter eligibility.

The order will be challenged.  The U.S. Constitution grants the states the power to determine the “Places and Manner of holding Elections”  not the President.   

Find the text of the order at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The White House – Executive Order:  PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
U.S. Congress – U.S. Constitution ArtI.S4.C1.2 States and Elections Clause
Campaign Legal Center – Voting Is an American Freedom. The President Can’t Change That

Brookings – The SAVE Act: An attempt to restrict voting rights
U.S. Elections Assistance Commission – The National Mail Voter Registration Form
NPR – Legal challenges are expected for President Trump’s voter registration executive order

Groups Taking Action:

Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, League of Women Voters US, National Partnership for New Americans, 

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

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DonaldTrump #ExecutiveOrder #NoncitizenVoting #Disenfranchised

The post New Trump Executive Order Attempts to Bypass Congress & States to Require Proof of Citizenship Documents & Mandate Election Deadlines appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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

The post The SAVE Act Could Disenfranchise Millions of Voters.  It’s Been Fast Tracked in Congress. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.