From Marci Hess

Blanchardville

To the Editor:

The SAVE Act will not ensure election integrity. Citizenship is already required to vote. Its purpose is to disenfranchise millions (nearly 80 mil) of American citizens from voting and would create a poll tax, which violates the 24th Amendment. Proponents claim to be solving a problem that is virtually nonexistent. Let’s look at the numbers: Michigan is the state most proponents point to when they claim non-citizens are voting in droves. In 2024, Michigan had 5.7 million voters; of those 16 were non-citizens; of those 16, 13 were criminally charged, which is a felony with $250K fine and deportation. 

The SAVE Act “solves” a nonexistent problem. It isn’t about making elections safe; we already have an effective system for that. 

In Wisconsin, the REAL ID isn’t sufficient. Although a handful of other states have legislated this to be acceptable, DO NOT confuse that for Wisconsin rules. You will need a certified birth certificate. And if you’ve changed your name, you’ll need either a passport booklet (the lesser expensive passport card is not acceptable) or to change your name to match your birth certificate. Depending on which you choose, financial outlay could be $150-500. Additionally, the passport administration has been slashed so can one get one in time for the November election? 

The SAVE Act is nothing more than voter suppression. The real problem is getting more people to vote. In 2024 only 64% of the US voted.