Hunter
03/23/26
Voting rights advocates and local election officials say the voting overhaul measure being debated in our nation’s capital would cause major financial and procedural headaches for underfunded state and local election officials.
Iowa Capitol Dispatch reports in a press call organized by Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington last week, the SAVE America Act would create chaos for state and local elections administrators by immediately imposing several new requirements without adding funding. It’s estimated that if passed, it would cost her state an additional $35 million in costs to administer this year’s midterm elections.
The bill, which President Donald Trump and other proponents say is necessary to stop immigrants from voting, would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, and a photo ID at polling places on Election Day.
Opponents say the bill would make voting more difficult, especially for people who have changed their name, tribal citizens, and people without photo IDs. It’s estimated that 18 percent of Americans over 65, 16 percent of Latino voters, 25 percent of Black voters and 15 percent of low-income Americans lack a photo ID.
It would also create barriers for vote-by-mail, which states have used for decades.
Clark County Washington auditor Greg Kimsey called the SAVE America Act nothing more than a very clumsy attempt to create chaos in this year’s midterm elections.
The full article from Iowa Capitol Dispatch can be found below.