The Biden administration made a significant move in 2021 by enacting an executive order aimed at promoting voter access. This executive order required federal agencies to make voter registration and learning how to vote easier, as well as improving language offerings and disability access. However, President Trump quickly rescinded this executive order in his first week in office, making it harder for US voters to have a say in their government. What’s even more concerning is that President Trump’s allies in Congress are pushing for bills that would further restrict voting access.
One such bill, proposed by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tex.) under the name of the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act,” would require every American to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register or re-register to vote. This unnecessary requirement could disenfranchise eligible voters, as many Americans do not have easy access to the specific documents required by the SAVE Act. This bill would also eliminate online voter registration and mail-in registration applications, making it more challenging for citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Furthermore, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) has proposed a bill that would repeal the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which established federal voter registration requirements and protections against purges of voter rolls. Repealing the NVRA would make it easier for states to remove voters from the rolls, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters, especially those from marginalized communities.
The combination of a federal proof of citizenship requirement and a repeal of the NVRA could lead to aggressive purges of voter rolls by states, disproportionately affecting voters of color. The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has also shown a lack of commitment to protecting voting rights, dropping cases against states that have implemented voter purge programs targeting eligible voters.
It is crucial for citizens to take action to protect voting rights by contacting their members of Congress and urging them to vote against these restrictive bills. Voter access is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it is essential to ensure that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote without unnecessary barriers.
