Proposed SAVE America Act Raises Concerns Over Voter Registration

The federal legislation could disproportionately impact millions of women who have changed their names.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:32pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting an empty voting booth in a dimly lit room, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting long shadows across the floor, conveying a sense of political uncertainty and the potential barriers to voting access.The proposed SAVE America Act's voter registration requirements could create new obstacles for millions of women, casting a shadow over the democratic process.Akron Today

The proposed SAVE America Act would require voters to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot, potentially creating new challenges for millions of women who have changed their names, including those who have married, divorced, or are transgender. Critics argue the bill could disenfranchise American voters and face legal challenges over its potential to violate the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

Why it matters

The SAVE America Act holds significant implications for voting rights, as it could make it more difficult for a large portion of the electorate - women who have changed their names - to register and vote. This raises concerns about equal access to the democratic process and the potential for the legislation to disproportionately impact certain groups of citizens.

The details

The federal legislation would mandate that most Americans show a birth certificate or passport to register to vote. But people with names that don't match their birth certificate, such as married or divorced women and transgender individuals, could have to produce additional documents like a marriage certificate or divorce decree. As many as 69 million American women have birth certificates that don't match their current name, according to an analysis by the Center for American Progress.

  • The House has passed a version of the SAVE America Act, and the U.S. Senate is currently debating the legislation.
  • Several states, including Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah, have enacted proof-of-citizenship measures for voter registration in 2023 and 2025.

The players

SAVE America Act

A federal legislation proposed by President Donald Trump that would require voters to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot.

Letitia Harmon

A senior director of policy and research at Florida Rising, a racial and economic justice nonprofit, who has personal experience with state proof-of-citizenship laws.

Shenna Bellows

The Democratic Secretary of State of Maine, who has criticized the disproportionate impact the SAVE America Act could have on women.

Alison Gill

The director of nominations and democracy at the National Women's Law Center, a progressive legal advocacy group, who has expressed concerns about the vagueness of the SAVE America Act's affidavit provision.

Lisa Murkowski

An Alaska Republican senator who has raised concerns about how the SAVE America Act would affect married women in her state.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that the majority of women upon marriage do change their name already means that this is going to be completely unequal in how the law is applied.”

— Letitia Harmon, Senior Director of Policy and Research, Florida Rising

“Given that 85% of American women change their name when they get married, the impact on women is going to be huge and it's going to be very problematic.”

— Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State

“Ultimately, this puts the burden on election officials, who face criminal and civil liability under the bill, potentially to decide whether to risk registering a person with mismatching documents.”

— Alison Gill, Director of Nominations and Democracy, National Women's Law Center

“Again, is it impossible? No. Is it going to be really challenging? Absolutely, yes.”

— Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican Senator

What’s next

The SAVE America Act would need to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law by President Trump before it could take effect. However, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate and would almost certainly face legal challenges if enacted.

The takeaway

The SAVE America Act's proposed voter registration requirements raise significant concerns about equal access to voting, particularly for women who have changed their names. The legislation could disproportionately impact a large portion of the electorate and potentially violate the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.