Trump's 'Ginned Up Panic' Could Backfire on GOP, Analyst Warns

The SAVE ACT, aimed at restricting voting, may actually hurt Republican turnout more than Democrats, according to a New York Times columnist.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:06am

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The SAVE ACT, which Donald Trump is pushing to pass before the midterm elections, could actually benefit the Democratic Party more than the GOP, according to a New York Times columnist. The bill would impose strict voter ID requirements and hinder mail-in voting, which could disproportionately impact Republican-leaning voters like married women and those without passports.

Why it matters

The SAVE ACT is part of Trump and the Republican Party's efforts to restrict voting access, which they believe will help them win elections. However, the columnist argues that the bill's provisions may end up backfiring and boosting Democratic turnout instead.

The details

The SAVE ACT would require U.S. citizens to present voter ID at the polls and severely limit mail-in voting. According to the columnist, this could pose problems for groups that tend to vote Republican, like married women who have taken their husband's last name and Americans without passports. These are the same low-propensity voters that helped Trump win in 2016 and 2024, and the GOP needs them to turn out in November.

  • The SAVE ACT is being pushed by Trump and Republicans to pass before the 2022 midterm elections.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who is desperate to see the SAVE ACT passed into law before the midterm elections.

Jamelle Bouie

A New York Times columnist who argues the SAVE ACT could actually benefit Democrats more than Republicans.

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What they’re saying

“Far from neutering the Democratic Party, the SAVE Act might improve its ability to win big in this year's midterms as a result of education polarization and a stark difference in enthusiasm between the two parties.”

— Jamelle Bouie, New York Times Columnist

“The SAVE Act embodies Trump and the Republican Party's astonishing contempt for the idea that a fair election is one where you can vote without being hassled by the state.”

— Jamelle Bouie, New York Times Columnist

What’s next

The SAVE ACT still needs to be passed by Congress before it can become law. Its fate will be closely watched as the midterm elections approach.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing partisan battle over voting rights and access, with the SAVE ACT representing the Republican Party's efforts to restrict voting. However, the analysis suggests these efforts could backfire and end up helping Democrats more than the GOP.