In Arizona, we have strict voter ID laws that protect election integrity. It’s illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal or state elections, and our systems ensure that only eligible voters cast ballots.
However, Congress is considering the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill that would make voting harder for millions of eligible citizens — particularly married women, senior citizens, military families and others — by creating unnecessary barriers to their fundamental right to vote.
The SAVE Act requires all eligible voters to present specific documentation proving their citizenship, such as a passport or an original birth certificate, when registering to vote or updating their voter registration. This would create significant barriers for countless eligible voters, many of whom do not have — or cannot easily obtain — the required documents. In Arizona alone, with an estimated 5 to 6 million voting-age citizens, nearly every person will be impacted by this law at some point in their lives.
The most impacted group under the SAVE Act would be married women. According to the 2023 Census, over 1.5 million women in Arizona are or have been married, and many have changed their last name after marriage, meaning their birth certificates no longer match their current legal name.
Studies show that 80% of married women change their surname, and many won’t have a birth certificate that reflects their current name. This will force these women to navigate a costly and time-consuming process to obtain updated documentation to prove their citizenship. Nationwide, 69 million women face this challenge.
Additionally, the 2023 Census estimates that over 1.6 million citizens in Arizona are aged 65 and older. Many of these voters have cast ballots for years, but as they move into senior living facilities or experience other life changes, they will now have to track down their birth certificates to re-register to vote or update their driver’s licenses — an added obstacle for older voters who shouldn’t have to prove their citizenship again.
Arizona’s military families, an estimated 600,000 service members, will also face unnecessary challenges. Military families are frequently relocated, and each time they move, service members must re-register to vote. Under the SAVE Act, they would no longer be able to use their military ID as proof of citizenship; they would need additional documentation, such as proof of birthplace or naturalization status.
This adds an unnecessary roadblock for those who already sacrifice so much for our country.
For many Arizonans who have experienced natural disasters, like wildfires, this bill would present further hardships. Families who lose important documents during a disaster would be required to navigate complex bureaucratic processes to replace them. This added burden could prevent disaster victims from maintaining their voter registration, compounding the trauma they’ve already faced.
In Arizona, the mobility rate is rising. Over 600,000 native-born Americans moved to Arizona from other regions or between counties in 2023. Every time a voter moves, they must re-register to vote. Under the SAVE Act, they would have to provide citizenship documentation each time they update their registration, adding an unnecessary burden to voters who are already dealing with the complexities of relocation.
Similar laws have been proposed in states like Arizona, Alabama, Kansas and Georgia. Courts have struck down these attempts, finding that they block eligible voters from registering and disproportionately impact many communities.
The SAVE Act punishes citizens for circumstances beyond their control. It will only make it harder for millions of eligible voters — especially married women, military families, senior citizens and those affected by disasters or frequent moves — to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
The League of Women Voters strongly opposes this bill. We urge you to contact your lawmakers and demand they oppose the SAVE Act. Make your voice heard today. Call Congress at 202-224-3121.
Editor’s note: Pinny Sheoran is president of the League of Women Voters of Arizona. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines
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