Friends and neighbors,
Last month, I wrote to you about why Congress needs to pass the SAVE Act, which is the federal bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, along with a photo ID at the polls. The U.S. House passed it in February. It is now stalled in the U.S. Senate because of Democrat opposition.
Recently several of my colleagues and I introduced a Minnesota version of the SAVE Act. Our bill would bring common-sense election security standards to our state, regardless of what happens in Washington.
Trust in our elections has taken a serious hit. I hear about it constantly across the district, and I know many of you feel the same way. Dismissing those concerns or telling people there is nothing to worry about is not the way to rebuild that trust. We need action.
Straightforward safeguards like photo ID and citizenship verification are the kind of steps that will begin to restore public confidence in our elections.
This bill is common sense. Showing an ID is a routine part of daily life. We do it to board a plane, open a bank account, and buy a beer. Voting is more consequential than any of those things, and the protections around it should reflect that.
Here is what our bill does:
- Photo ID to vote: Voters would need to show qualifying photo ID at the polls, when voting absentee, and during early voting.
- Proof of citizenship requirement: To register or vote, Minnesotans would need to demonstrate U.S. citizenship.
- New Voter Identification Card: The bill creates a free, state-issued voter ID card through the Department of Public Safety for people who don't have a qualifying document. It would be issued at no cost, look distinct from a driver's license, and would be valid only for voting purposes. The state would reimburse applicants for costs of obtaining underlying documents like birth certificates.
- Eliminates vouching: Current law allows a registered voter to vouch for people who can't prove their residence. It’s a policy that is incredibly vulnerable to fraud. Our bill removes that option.
- Provisional ballots: Voters who can't prove citizenship or identity/residence at the polls could cast a provisional ballot, which would only be counted if they later provide the required documentation.
- Citizenship verification for voter rolls: County auditors would be required to challenge and remove registered voters if they receive verified information that the person is not a U.S. citizen.
If you are eligible to vote, you will be able to vote. It is as simple as that. This bill is just about making sure our elections are decided by American citizens, and that every legitimate vote counts equally. That’s it.
You can read the full bill here and my earlier column on the federal SAVE Act here.
As always, thank you for trusting me to serve you in the Senate, and for staying engaged in the issues we’re facing. If you have any questions, please reach out any time.
Sincerely,