Another Attack Against Women: What is the SAVE Act?

Will SAVE Act Impact Married Women's Vote?

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, introduced last year by Republican lawmakers, aims to tighten voter registration rules by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. It has caused an ongoing uproar.

Critics say it could do much more than prevent non-citizens from voting. According to advocates and analysts, it may unintentionally block millions of U.S. citizens, particularly women, from casting a ballot.

What Would the SAVE Act Do?

Right now, federal voter registration forms require voters to affirm under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens. Some states have already taken additional steps to verify citizenship.

The SAVE Act would go further, requiring all voters to present physical proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, to register or vote in federal elections.

How Would the SAVE Act Impact Women Voters?

That might sound straightforward—until you consider that about 140 million Americans don’t have a passport. That leaves a birth certificate as the primary option for proving citizenship.

Here’s where things get complicated: nearly 80% of women in heterosexual marriages take their spouse’s last name, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center study. That means their birth certificate—which lists their original name—may no longer match their current legal name.

An analysis from the Center for American Progress estimates that up to 69 million women could face difficulties verifying their identity and, in turn, their right to vote.

#HandsOffHerVote Movement

The response to the SAVE Act has been swift and emotional. At a recent town hall, one Georgia voter directly challenged Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), asking, “Why are you so scared for me to vote?”

Online, the hashtag #HandsOffHerVote has become a rallying cry. Women across the country are sharing stories of how name changes due to marriage or divorce could complicate or jeopardize their ability to vote under the new rules.

Many point out that women who’ve legally changed their names might now have to jump through hoops just to prove they’re citizens, even if they’ve voted for years. 

As women continue to share their concerns and stories, many are filing this attack as another reason for women to question getting married.