Republicans are refusing to fund the government. In 10 days, we could face a shutdown.
Attached to the funding bill is the SAVE Act, an act amending our existing laws which already prohibit non-citizens from voting in federal elections. (Note: Some states allow green card holders to vote in local elections, but they've never been able to vote in federal elections).
The new requirements would apply to anyone who has not yet registered to vote in this election. So, if passed prior to October 1st, anyone who registers to vote after that date would be subject to the new rules. Anyone already registered to vote who votes after this election would be subject to the news rules in the next election & would have to re-register.
The SAVE act goes further than existing laws. Were it to pass, it would require that everyone present proof of citizenship **AND** ID in order to register to vote. I hear you now, Trump supporters! "That sounds good to me!" and "What's wrong with that?"
Here's why:
First, nearly everyone would have re-register to vote, unless their state already requires proof of citizenship to register.
In order to register to vote, you must provide not only ID, but also proof of citizenship, IN PERSON.
There would only be TWO ways to prove citizenship: an original birth certificate (certified copies not permitted except in rare circumstances), or a passport. In addition, the name on the birth certificate must exactly match that of your current name on your ID.
So, for example, if you are a someone who got married or divorced, your BIRTH CERTIFICATE must match your other ID.
What would be acceptable proof of identification? Your driver's license? Nah. Nope. Not unless your DL lists your country of birth as the United States. Most DL's & state ID cards don't list a country of birth on them.
Ok, so what else, then? A REAL ID would work, right? Nope. Not unless that ID also lists the country of birth. Most do not.
A military ID would work, right? Nope. Not unless it is accompanied by your military record of service showing that the applicant's place of birth was in the United States.
Oh, and if you were adopted, that adoption decree has to have your country of birth (as the US) listed within it. So, if you were born outside of the US, but were adopted in the US, sorry, you can't vote in federal elections.
I am not joking. WHEN the government shuts down due to Republicans pushing this bill, please know it’s their doing and only their doing.
https://t.co/FnkkszxU0N
I don’t have a cat, so a dog will have to do! But like Taylor Swift I’m all in for @KamalaHarris & @Tim_Walz ! #VoteBlue
Double check your own voter registration and find local early voting dates here: https://t.co/HzH35dTifv