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After the House passed the SAVE Act last week, Ohio Congressman Greg Landsman warned that the bill, which requires voters to present documentary proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, when registering to vote, could make voting harder for millions of eligible Americans if it becomes law.
Speaking in a TikTok video, the Democrat stressed that non-citizens are already barred from voting and face penalties if they try. He argued that the new rules would instead affect lawful voters, whom he estimated to be at least twenty one million, who may not have those documents readily available. “This bill creates all these new barriers for American voters,” Landsman said. “If you are going to register to vote, you have to prove that you’re an American citizen.”
Who He Says Could Be Affected
The lawmaker also broke down the groups he believes would face the biggest challenges under the bill. He first pointed to married women whose current identification may not match the name on their birth certificate due to name changes, saying that mismatch alone could complicate registration.
He then mentioned seniors who no longer drive and may not hold passports, adding that many have voted for years without needing to produce additional paperwork. College students living away from home were another example, as they may not have easy access to original documents like birth certificates while on campus.
Additionally, Landsman raised concerns about Americans serving in the military overseas, noting that some could struggle with in-person documentation requirements while stationed abroad. Rural voters who rely heavily on mail voting were included as well, along with low-income Americans who may not be able to afford the fees associated with obtaining replacement IDs or certified birth records.
“The solution here is very simple,” Landsman said. “When you turn eighteen and you’re an American citizen, you are automatically registered to vote. Just do that. That’s the bill that would save our democracy. Not this one. The SAVE Act is a terrible bill. It’s unamerican. It’s undemocratic.”
What People Are Saying About the SAVE Act
Supporters of the SAVE Act argue that requiring proof of citizenship would strengthen election integrity and ensure that only eligible voters participate in federal elections. Critics, however, warn that additional paperwork rules could end up blocking lawful voters instead.
In the comments under his post, many netizens questioned the legality of the proposed requirements, with one writing, “How is this legal? Isn’t that a poll tax?” Another said, “This seems unconstitutional!” A third wrote, “This is a very blatant attempt at voter suppression,” while a fourth added, “This is a direct attack on women.”
