The SAVE America Act and Your Right to Vote
Fast Facts
On Feb. 11, the U.S. House passed the SAVE America Act.
The bill would impose strict photo identification rules to vote in federal elections.
It would require people to show proof of U.S. citizenship (like a passport or birth certificate) when registering to vote.
It could limit online and mail voter registration.
Although the law is related only to federal elections, because states usually hold state and federal elections at the same time, it would almost certainly change how state elections are held as well.
The Story
The SAVE Act could change how people register to vote in federal elections. Right now, many people can register online or by mail. Under this bill, people may have to bring official citizenship papers — like a passport or birth certificate — in person.
Supporters say this helps stop non-citizens from voting. But many experts say there is very little evidence that non-citizens are voting in large numbers.
Voting rights groups are worried. They say millions of eligible voters do not have easy access to passports or birth certificates. Getting copies of these documents can cost money and take time.
For transgender and nonbinary people, this could be even harder. Many people in our community have:
Changed their name
Updated their gender marker
Documents that do not all match
If a birth certificate has an old name, but a driver’s license has a new name, that mismatch could cause problems when registering to vote. Some trans people may also face confusion or discrimination at the polls if their documents do not match how they look.
Advocates say this bill could make it harder for many people — including trans and nonbinary people — to have their voices heard.
What You Can Do
1. Check your voter registration.
Make sure your name and address are correct.
2. Review your documents.
If you have changed your name or gender marker, check which documents match and which do not.
3. Learn your state’s voter ID rules.
Some states already require photo ID. Knowing the rules ahead of time can help you prepare.
4. Make a plan to vote.
Decide if you will vote early, by mail (if allowed), or in person.
5. Stay informed.
Bipartisan Policy Center - Five Things to Know About the SAVE America Act
National Conference of State Legislatures - 9 Things to Know about the Proposed SAVE America Act
Advocates for Trans Equality - Voting While Trans: Preparing for Voter ID Laws
ACLU Wisconsin - 2026-2028 Voting in Wisconsin
Your vote matters. No matter what changes happen, our community deserves to be heard.