Voting rights group warn that the measure could end up suppressing eligible voters
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed a measure that mandates proof of citizenship to register to vote - which is already a requirement.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would require a Real ID, passport or other government identification that shows a person’s place of birth was in the United States.
According to the bill, passed on Wednesday, government-issued ID for citizens who were not born in the US would not be enough proof. They also would have to show a birth certificate or similar document to register to vote.
Democratic officials and voting rights groups have warned that, if it were to become law, the bill would prevent eligible citizens from voting.
They’ve argued that the measure has merely been used as a vessel for spreading misinformation about election laws and immigration ahead of 2024 elections.
Elon Musk had even suggested that anyone who voted against the bill should be executed for treason.
I don’t understand, people already had to be US citizens to vote. Is this a distraction tactic?
Who might be barred from registering to vote under this? The naturalized and foreign birth citizens are the most likely people to have passports for ID/registration purposes. I think you already had to provide such ID in the past, so what does this change, effectively?
A poor white person who doesn’t travel will likely not have a passport, and may also not be able to locate their birth certificate in time. So again, who is this law meant to disenfranchise?