Sen. Collins Backs Republican Voting Reform Bill

Maine senator says SAVE America Act will 'ensure confidence in the results of our elections'.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has voiced her support for the Republican-backed SAVE America Act, which would require all voters to show a government-issued photo ID and provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Collins argued these measures are necessary to ensure the integrity of elections, despite concerns from opponents that the requirements could disenfranchise eligible voters.

Why it matters

Collins' endorsement of the SAVE America Act aligns her with the Republican push for stricter voting rules, which critics say are aimed at making it harder for certain demographics to cast ballots. The debate over voter ID laws and proof of citizenship requirements has become a major partisan flashpoint in recent years.

The details

Collins said the SAVE America Act will 'ensure confidence in the results of our elections.' She rejected arguments that the ID and citizenship proof requirements would disenfranchise voters, stating: 'I don't believe that it will at all.' Collins cited unspecified 'incidents' where people have tried to get non-citizens to vote, though documented cases of noncitizen voting are extremely rare.

  • On February 17, 2026, Collins announced her support for the SAVE America Act.
  • Last year, Maine voters rejected a referendum that would have imposed a voter photo ID requirement.

The players

Sen. Susan Collins

A Republican senator from Maine who is seeking a sixth term in the Senate. Collins has voiced support for the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed voting reform bill.

SAVE America Act

A Republican-sponsored bill that would require all voters to show a government-issued photo ID and provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

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What they’re saying

“You should have to show some sort of voter ID. After all, we have to show a license or some sort of ID when we board an airplane, when we buy an alcoholic beverage, when we stay at a hotel. So, I don't think it's too much to ask that people show a voter ID or some sort of identification of when they vote. This is important to ensure confidence in the results of our elections.”

— Sen. Susan Collins (newscentermaine.com)

“I don't believe that it will at all. And a provision requiring a one-time proof of citizenship when you register to vote I do not believe is burdensome. If you had to do it every time, I would not support this bill, but doing it when you register to vote will ensure that only American citizens are voting in our elections.”

— Sen. Susan Collins (newscentermaine.com)

What’s next

The SAVE America Act will now move through the legislative process, with Collins' support potentially influencing other Republican senators.

The takeaway

Collins' endorsement of the SAVE America Act highlights the ongoing partisan debate over voting rules, with Republicans pushing for stricter identification and citizenship requirements and Democrats arguing such measures could disenfranchise eligible voters.