Democratic Leadership:

The undersigned youth organizations, on behalf of the over 40 million young people ¹ eligible to vote across the country, implore your caucus to stand steadfast in opposition to the so-called “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act safeguards nothing. Citizenship is already a requirement to vote. The SAVE Act only erects hurdles for voting, particularly for young people.

We specialize in engaging young people in our democracy. We know that young people, especially college students, do not have, or cannot access, the narrow list of ID documents this law would require.

• 31% of adult citizens, ages 18-29, face potential voting difficulties due to their lack of ID. ²
• 41% of young Americans ages 18-24, and 38% of young Americans ages 25-29, indicate not having a driver’s license with their current name and/or address. ³
• 16% of men 18-29 don’t have or can’t find their documented proof of citizenship. ⁴
• Only 53% of US youth, ages 18-29, have a passport. ⁵

The SAVE Act would potentially disenfranchise the nation’s largest and most diverse voting bloc in history. This is not conjecture. Due to Arizona’s voting laws requiring documented proof of U.S. citizenship, 18- to 24-year-olds are three times more likely to be disqualified from voting in state and local elections. ⁶ In Texas, where this legislation is also being pursued, 12% of Texans 18-34 do not have access to documented proof of citizenship. ⁷

The SAVE Act aims to make these trends national and prevent young people from fully participating in our democracy. The SAVE Act would also upend online voter registration and registration by mail, and put an end to voter registration drives nationwide, which means those who do have documented proof of citizenship are losing opportunities to register to vote and participate in elections as well.

From the undergraduate student who keeps their birth certificate with their parents in another state, to the 19-year-old who can’t afford to get a passport, to the newly married 25-year-old changing their last name – all young people deserve to vote. Legislators who support the SAVE Act do not agree.

Democrats must hold the line to protect our voting rights. Your action is especially urgent, given the Executive Order mandating proof-of-citizenship requirements and other voter suppression tactics.

Prove you are on our side. Prove that you are committed to fighting for young people.

Sincerely,

NextGen America
Sunrise Movement
Generation Vote Action
Alliance for Youth Action