As many of us in the senior class prepare to turn eighteen, we are moving towards not only graduation, but preparing to cast our first ballots. Voting is one of the most significant opportunities we have to contribute to our community. But for the vote to fully mean something, there must be a system behind it to ensure absolute integrity.
This is why the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is a vital step to ensure that voting remains as impactful as it once was.
The Act’s primary goal is simple:it requires individuals to provide Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) when registering to vote in federal and state elections.nCurrently, federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting, but is often enforced by an “honor code” when checking that on the ballot.
The SAVE Act replaces this patchwork approach, with a more uniformed standard. Voter registration is also required to go through the Department of Homeland Security by showing passports or birth certificates.
Naturally, a policy with this much attention has sparked debate. Democrats have come out saying, “the legislation would disenfranchise millions of Americans, make it harder to register to vote, and put more power in the hands of Trump and the federal government…”
While some critics, including many in the Democratic Party, argue that legislation could complicate registration, specifically in showing a birth certificate at the booth. This is an understandable perspective, but the idea of asking for a passport or birth certificate doesn’t become a great hurdle voters have to face.
We already have to provide these documents to apply for a learner’s permit, or to begin a job. Beyond the paperwork, the SAVE Act brings our election into more real-time data rather than outdated lists. By requiring Homeland Security to move forward with this bill, they are gaining more help from updated technology to verify the integrity of voters in the election.
Ultimately, the SAVE America Act protects the trust we are given when voting, losing the corruption and unfairness in the election vital to removing skepticism over election results. By creating verification systems, we remove the areas that are falsified to help maintain the rules and laws set in the Constitution.
As many of you prepare to walk across the state to get your diploma, your step into the ballot lines is a huge step. We should demand a system that is built on a serious and secure future. The SAVE America Act isn’t about making the registration process more daunting – it’s about making the voting process more valuable to every legal citizen.
