The political left has developed a remarkably simple response to almost every proposed election safeguard: Call it voter suppression.
Require identification at the polls? Voter suppression. Verify citizenship during registration? Voter suppression. Correct inaccurate registration records? A voter “purge.” Adjust early-voting schedules? An assault on minority voters.
Different policies addressing different aspects of election administration are bundled together as parts of a national conspiracy to prevent minorities and Democrats from voting. Motive is assumed, discriminatory effect is declared, and accusation substitutes for evidence.
Citizenship is the foundation of our electoral system. Only American citizens may vote in federal elections. Investigators have identified serious anomalies in registration records nationwide. When government refuses reasonable verification or correction of demonstrably ineligible records, it leaves the basic qualification for voting inadequately enforced.
That principle is at the center of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly called the SAVE America Act. The House-passed legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering for federal elections and photo identification when voting.
Opponents often portray the bill as requiring every prospective voter to possess a passport. That is not what it says.
Acceptable documentation includes identification indicating citizenship; a valid U.S. passport; certain military records; photo identification showing a U.S. birthplace; or photo identification accompanied by a birth, naturalization or other recognized citizenship record.
An ordinary driver’s license establishes identity and lawful presence but not necessarily citizenship. Legally present noncitizens may obtain licenses, including REAL ID-compliant licenses. Those issued to people with temporary lawful status are limited-term, generally expiring with their authorized stay — or within one year when no expiration date is specified. The relevant question is whether citizenship is indicated or a government agency has otherwise verified it.
The act requires states to accept applications from married voters and others whose names differ from their citizenship documents when additional documentation or an affidavit establishes the previous name.
Hellbound and Down 