SAVE Act Could Jeopardize Voting System as We Know It in Michigan
On February 27, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joined state lawmakers and pro-democracy shared the dangers of the SAVE Act (HR 22) and “other proposals that would block millions of eligible U.S. citizens from registering to vote in future elections.”
“This bill is not about election security. It’s a trick,” Secretary Benson said at Thursday’s press conference, quoted on Michigan.gov. “While we’ve spent the week talking about real solutions for Michiganders, the president’s allies in Congress have a plan in motion to block millions of American citizens from casting their ballot in future elections. We can work together with true leaders on both sides of the aisle to continue to strengthen our state’s secure, accessible election system. But the SAVE Act and proposals like it are not the way forward. Every Michigan voter should evaluate these bills with eyes wide open, with a clear understanding of what’s really at stake.”
According to MLIVE.com, “Under the SAVE Act, married women who changed their surname would still be able to vote, but they would need to provide additional documentation if their ID name doesn’t match their birth certificate. The specific requirements for this documentation would be determined by each state, according to the bill sponsor.”
In addition to this, “If those women who have changed their names don’t have an updated U.S. passport — and more than 5.8 million Michigan adults don’t — they might not be able to register,” Benson said in the video above.
In a Facebook Group for Women’s March Southeast Michigan, a user posted the following: “URGENT IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED FOR TUESDAY. need to meet in Lansing 9 am Room 307, House Office Building, to Oppose the Michigan Version of the SAVE Act, HOUSE RESOLUTION B. This is Urgent. No signs permitted, but Clothing outrage OK, and register with the clerk for a statement [tthrush@house.mi.gov](mailto: tthrush@house.mi.gov) 630 am meet up at Legacy center ( Oxford) for carpool.”
While we cannot find much more information regarding this meet-up for Tuesday, March 4, it sounds as if some are looking to reach the capitol early before the 12 PM protest in hopes of making their voices heard in regard to the SAVE Act.
To learn more, here is a list of articles that you can gather information from:
‘It’s a trick’: Secretary Benson calls on Congress to stop the SAVE Act – February 27, 2025, Michigan.gov
Millions of married women voters could be disenfranchised under proposed federal law, opponents say – March 3, 2025, MLIVE.com
Secretary Benson: Don’t let the SAVE Act block your vote – March 2, 2025, YouTube.com
Passing SAVE Act Would Be ‘Taking a Chainsaw to Democracy’ – February 28, 2025, DemocracyDocket.com
Feature Image: MittenStatePhototog’s photo, licensed as Attribution via Flicker/CreativeCommons.org