Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., has stated that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would create significant obstacles for Democrats in winning elections, a sentiment that has drawn criticism from Republicans who argue she has revealed a core opposition to election integrity measures.
Slotkin's remarks were made in a video recorded on June 6, following the Senate's narrow rejection of the SAVE America Act. The bill failed with a vote of 48-50, as four Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it. The legislation has become a central point of contention in Congress, with former President Donald Trump making its passage a primary objective. Trump has previously indicated he would not sign certain bills until the SAVE America Act is passed.
During an address to Indiana's state Democratic Party, Slotkin expressed her view that the bill, if enacted, would allow the Trump administration to "rig our democracy." She stated, "It would be hard for any Democrat in any state to win any election."
The SAVE America Act proposes requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for casting ballots in federal elections. It also mandates that states implement additional measures to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
Trump has argued that Democrats oppose the SAVE America Act because it would hinder their ability to win elections through what he describes as "cheating" and the participation of ineligible voters. He has asserted that the party's opposition to voter ID laws stems from a reliance on fraudulent votes to secure victories.
However, the Center for Election Innovation & Research, a nonpartisan election policy group, has stated that instances of noncitizen voter registration are rare and that election officials address any improper registrations or votes swiftly to maintain election security.
Slotkin also raised concerns that the act could create difficulties for married women voters, suggesting they might need to present a birth certificate at the polls, which could conflict with a married name. Critics of the bill have noted that women who have changed their last names after marriage might need to provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate, if their current identification does not match the name on their birth certificate.
Republican lawmakers have criticized Slotkin's statements. Rep. Tony Wied commented on X that "Democrats are saying the quiet part out loud," implying that their opposition is based on an inability to win on merit. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also stated on X that the idea of requiring identification to prove U.S. citizenship to vote is common sense and that the SAVE America Act should be passed. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, further argued on X that the concern about married women facing hurdles was "absurd," comparing it to the requirement of an I-9 form for employment.
Slotkin's office referred inquiries to a previous video where she alleged that Trump told Congress that any Republican loss in the 2026 midterms would be due to a "rigged" election. A review of Trump's State of the Union address indicated he did not make that specific statement, but rather argued that Democrats "want to cheat" and that their only path to victory is through fraud.
The White House, through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, responded to Slotkin's claims by suggesting that if "commonsense methods like voter ID and proof of citizenship" make it impossible for Democrats to win, the party should re-evaluate its campaign strategies.