(The Center Square) – Requiring states to collect and document proof of United States citizenship for all of its voters in federal offices drew nays from all four North Carolina Democrats and yeas from all 10 Republicans on Thursday.
The SAVE Act passed the House of Representatives 220-208 with Reps. Alma Adams, Don Davis, Valerie Foushee and Deborah Ross having a toe on the party line. Four from their party joined 216 Republicans.
Only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote; the distinction this proposal makes is in enforcement by the states. Few states collect and document, and voter list maintenance varies.
“It hurts women who want to vote and creates barriers to keep you from voting,” said Adams, a sixth term mainstay from the 12th Congressional District in Charlotte. “I was happy to vote against it.”
Republican Reps. Dr. Greg Murphy, Virginia Foxx, Addison McDowell, David Rouzer, Rev. Mark Harris, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards, Brad Knott and Tim Moore were in favor.
“It’s simple: Proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections,” said McDowell, the freshman congressman from the 6th Congressional District covering the I-85 corridor from Concord to the Triad. “The Left wants open borders and no voter ID. I’m voting to stop that nonsense and make sure only Americans decide American elections.”
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as House Resolution 22, was authored by Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy. Identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 is among multiple documents acceptable as proof. States are required to provide “an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship,” the bill’s summary says on Congress.gov.
Noncitizens are to be removed from eligibility on state voter rolls, the bill says.
The legislation made it through the House in the 118th Congress last summer but died in the Democratic majority Senate. The 119th Congress includes 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents caucusing with Democrats in the Senate, a majority well short of the 60 needed to overcome the anticipated filibuster.
President Donald Trump campaigned on the issue and has signaled he would sign if it reaches his desk.
Context on the discussion of women losing their right to vote is based on legal name changes through marriage and divorce. A U.S. passport as well as government-issued photo ID card, such as a driver’s license presented with a birth certificate, are acceptable.
Ross says the SAVE Act disenfranchises more than 2 million women in North Carolina and nearly 69 million nationwide. Through Saturday, the State Board of Elections says more than 3.6 million women are registered.
“The SAVE Act is a blatant attempt by Republicans to roll back voting rights in North Carolina and across the country – especially women, service members, Americans in rural communities, and voters of color,” said Ross, the third term representative from the 2nd Congressional District in the Triangle.
Harris counters, “In America, you can’t drive a car, board a plane, or buy fireworks without an ID proving you are who you say you are. Requiring proof of citizenship to vote is just common sense.”
