The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act will require citizenship documentation to register to vote. This will create barriers to many already eligible voters as it instructs states to establish a process for people whose legal name does not match their birth certificate to provide additional documents. We already have mandatory minimum standards for Texas to follow addressed by the HAVA Act of 2002, the Help America Vote Act. HAVA established the Election Assistance Commission assisting states with compliance and running the federal government’s first voting system verification program. The HAVA Act of 2002 provided funding to assist states upholding the standards set and improving election administration (Help America Vote Act | U.S. Election Assistance Commission).
Texas has the most restrictive voting laws, including voting by mail only available to people ages 65 and older, voters who are out of their county of residence during voting, and for disabled voters that have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls safely.
Who would be the most impacted by the SAVE Act?
1. Natural Disaster Survivors – Here in Texas we experience our fair share of natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. Important documents are often lost and the SAVE Act would require them to acquire these while trying to rebuild their lives.
2. Active Duty Military Members – the SAVE Act would require them to re-register every time they move. Additionally, they would not be able to use their military ID alone to prove citizenship and would need additional documentation such as a birth certificate.
3. Anyone with a changed name – It is estimated that 69 million American women do not have paperwork that reflects their current name. They would likely need to provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate. This along with photo ID proving citizenship. About 54% of Texans have a valid US passport (SAVEact-tables.pdf).
In Brazoria County, it is estimated that women make up 49.7% of the population (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Brazoria County, Texas). In a Pew Research Center survey, 79% of married women say they took their spouse’s last name when they got married (How many women take their husband’s last name when they marry? | Pew Research Center). If the SAVE Act passes, this could lead to big changes in federal and state elections. Presenting proof of citizenship could mean long lines to re-register with an election official at a government office.
Since SB 1 signed into law in 2021, Governor Abbott has removed over 1 million people from voter rolls (Governor Abbott Announces Over 1 Million Ineligible Voters Removed From Voter Rolls | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott):
463,000 voters on the suspense list – the county was unaware of their current address
134,000 voters failed to respond to an address confirmation notice that they had moved
457,000+ were deceased
6,000 voters who have a felony conviction and only 1,200 had actually voted
19,000 voters had requested to cancel their registration
Representative Troy Nehls of the 22nd Congressional District is a co-sponsor on this bill. The most effective way to reach Representative Nehls to express your concerns over this bill is to call his offices – DC: 202-225-5951, Fulshear: 346-762-6600.
To determine if you have a Real ID see Texas REAL ID | Texas.gov
To request a birth certificate Texas Vital Records | Texas.gov
Text – H.R.22 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): SAVE Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a Trick | League of Women Voters
Here are 8 things to know about the Trump-backed SAVE Act : NPR
