No to the SAVE Act

On April 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) to vote in federal elections. This is a bill designed to eliminate fraud in our elections, which we all want, but its implementation could potentially disenfranchise many new and existing voters.

It requires proof of citizenship, which sounds simple — but it’s not.

While the bill gives states the choice in determining what additional documents should be required when local voters have a discrepancy on their proof of citizenship document, one requirement in the legislation is the name on your current ID must exactly match the name shown on your ‘raised seal’ birth certificate.

Married women who took their husband’s name (or anyone who changed their name) must provide a certified marriage certificate. Divorced women must provide a certified copy of both license and divorce decree. In Pennsylvania, a birth certificate costs $20; add another $10 if you place your order online. Certified marriage certificates cost $15 in McKean County. Divorce decree costs would depend on your lawyer.

Active military families would be required to prove they are citizens every time they move and want to re-register to vote. Folks trying to rebuild their lives after natural disasters must go through the process and expense of locating thisTdnd of documentation.

The in-person at your local Board of Elections requirement will mostly affect the poor, students, people without vehicles and swing-shift workers who may not be able to get to their local board of elections during regular business hours.

For those with REAL ID, military ID or government-issued ID, the ID must show your place of birth and indicate you are a citizen. Currently, only Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Vermont and Washington states include this information on REAL ID.

Current registered voters and those with passports won’t see much of a change unless they move. Passports seem to be the easiest way to prove citizenship. Poorer folks and those on a fixed income might not have the $165 necessary to purchase a passport. Would you?

Voting should be secure, but it should also be accessible to all citizens.

Please, contact your senators and tell them to vote NO to the SAVE Act.

Cheryl Plaza, Lewis Run

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