Protect Our Voting Rights
The latest version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act was passed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on 11 February, with all Republicans and one Democrat (Henry Cuellar from Texas) voting for it. This bill would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship — like a U.S. passport or birth certificate — when they register to vote, show photo identification when they cast a ballot, force states to provide the Attorney General access to their voter registration rolls, and mandate monthly purges of those rolls. Online, automatic, and mail-in registration would no longer be viable. They are also considering other, more radical versions of the bill, including the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act
The good news is that this bill - which would be effective immediately if enacted - requires 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, and only one Democrat (John Fetterman) has expressed support for it. The bad news is, some Republicans are pushing to circumvent this rule by forcing a “talking” filibuster (the kind seen in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”), requiring Democrats to talk continuously on the floor in order to hold the filibuster. The Republicans can also use the “nuclear option” to allow majority rule on this one piece of legislation (this would normally require a two-thirds majority). Fortunately, right now Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he would not support these options, but that can change.
Call to Action:
Contact Senators Klobuchar and Smith to demand that they vote “no” on the SAVE Act or any other variation of this bill, such as the MEGA Act, and that they need to convince Republicans in the Senate to not change the filibuster rules for this legislation.
Contact Info:
1. U.S. Senator Tina Smith:
DC Office Phone: (202) 224-5641
MN Office Phone: (651) 221-1016
Email form:
https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
2. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar:
DC Office Phone: ( 202) 224-3244
DC Office Fax: (202) 228-2186
MN Office Phone: (612) 727-5220
Email form:
https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy
Or use democracy.io to send an email to both of them at the same time.
Sample Script (voice or email):
I am a constituent from (your address) [Optional: and a member of Indivisible Twin Cities].
Vote “No” on the SAVE Act, or any variation on this bill, such as the MEGA Act. Also, this bill should not be passed by bypassing the filibuster. You need to convince your Republican colleagues to not cheat by changing the Senate rules just for this bill.
Resources:
S 1383, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
H.R.7300, the Make Elections Great Again Act
NPR: A Republican plan to overhaul voting is back. Here's what's new in the bill
Voting Rights Lab: Congressional Bills Threaten Federal Takeover of Elections
Democracy Docket: Even election officials who like voter ID have issues with the SAVE America Act
