Many people have asked us to share details about this—and Congress is looking to vote on it this week.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a proposed bill that would require documented proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers—when registering to vote in federal elections. While the stated goal is to prevent non-citizens from voting, the bill would create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters.
One group that could be disproportionately affected? People who’ve changed their names after marriage.
In the U.S., it’s especially common for women to adopt their spouse’s last name after marriage. But if the name on your birth certificate doesn’t match your current legal name, the SAVE Act would likely require you to bring extra documentation—like a marriage certificate or court order—just to prove you’re a citizen.
Soon, voting in the U.S. could feel less like a civic duty and more like a bureaucratic scavenger hunt. Bring a birth certificate. Bring a passport. Bring a marriage license. Bring a binder.
All this, just to exercise a right you already have.
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