Amid legislative debates, Senator Mark Kelly criticizes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, suggesting the issue it aims to address is nonexistent according to Breitbart.
Controversy surrounds the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in U.S. federal elections. Senator Mark Kelly has recently expressed his doubts about the necessity of this act, indicating no evidence supports the existence of non-citizen voting in these elections.
Specifically, the SAVE Act aims to strengthen the prevention measures against non-citizens' participation in federal elections.
While it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, some lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy, argue that the existing laws are insufficient. Rep. Roy insists that federal agencies such as those managing Medicaid and motor vehicle departments are intentionally registering non-citizens due to automated systems.
Skeptical of the necessity for the SAVE Act, Senator Kelly remarked on Fox News to Chad Pergram that there is "no evidence that undocumented migrants vote," describing the legislation as "a solution looking for a problem."
Except Kelly has ignored Roy's revelation that federal programs are registering non-citizens to vote meaning that an opportunity for voter fraud exists and needs to be closed.
This debate comes in the wake of reports from Virginia and Texas where non-citizen registrations were reportedly found—1,500 in Virginia in 2023 and 25,000 in Texas years prior.
These examples serve as a foundation for supporters of the SAVE Act who believe more rigorous checks are needed.
The proposed act would empower states to conduct more thorough vetting of voter rolls and confirm citizenship status. Kelly, though, remains unconvinced of its necessity, reinforcing his point by calling the issue "nonexistent."
Enumerating the challenges, Rep. Roy highlighted on Breitbart News Daily, "Our federal government [is] registering these people automatically—through Medicaid, through forced DMV registration—under federal law." He emphasized the frustrations with federal systems that register but are supposed to prohibit voting by non-citizens.
The complications are further exacerbated by a prior Supreme Court decision that struck down an Arizona law that required citizenship verification for voter registration in federal elections.
This decision gives rise to a scenario where states might have dual systems for checking voter eligibility, complicating the process even further.
Expanding on the absurdity of the situation, Rep. Roy explained, "That’s the absurdity. You can’t even make it up. Federal law has been interpreted to prohibit states from checking to see if you’re a citizen even though, technically, the law says you must be a citizen." The lawmaker’s comments illustrate a paradox within the federal legal framework.
To add to the layered debate, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated investigations into organizations potentially registering illegal immigrants to vote. His actions pinpoint the administration's vigilance regarding the sanctity of voter rolls.
As both sides of the debate articulate their viewpoints, the broader narrative of voter eligibility in America remains contentious.
Proponents of the SAVE Act like Rep. Roy propose rigorous measures to fortify the electoral system against potential illegal participation.
"That’s what we do. We try to make it minimally burdensome but strong enough to ensure that only citizens vote," said Roy, championing a balance between voter accessibility and security. His advocacy reflects a fundamental concern over federal election integrity.
Reflecting broader implications, this conversation intersects with ongoing national discussions about voter rights, election security, and the roles of federal and state governments in electoral processes.
The dialogue around the SAVE Act and related voter registration concerns is a microcosm of America's larger challenges with electoral integrity and inclusivity. Lawmakers continue to grapple with defining and refining the boundaries and rules that govern who can participate in the cornerstone of democracy: voting.