McClellan Statement on Passage of the SAVE Act, Ushering in a New Era of Voter Suppression
More than 40 percent of Virginians don’t have an active license or ID, a requirement to register to vote under Republicans’ bill
Roughly 40 percent of Virginians do not have passports — at $130 per passport, the SAVE Act could force Virginians to pay over $427 million just to register to vote.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, which threatens millions of Americans’ fundamental right to vote:
“The SAVE Act is the latest chapter in this country’s dark history of suppressing the sacred right to vote through a modern-day poll tax.
“House Republicans just imposed a modern day poll tax on millions of American citizens and erected barriers to registration for active duty service members stationed away from home, women who no longer use their maiden name, homebound seniors and disabled individuals, and rural communities.
“Masquerading as ‘election security’ — a solution in search of a problem — the SAVE Act forces millions of Americans to pay for documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. It also forces citizens to register to vote in person by eliminating mail-in and online options.
“Whether it’s the $2.12 poll tax my father paid in 1947, a $130 passport, or a $1,385 certificate of citizenship, no American should have to pay to cast their vote.
“My great-grandfather had to take a literacy test and find three white men to vouch for his character just to register to vote. My father and grandfather had to pay poll taxes to be able to register to vote. I stand firm against efforts to return to these Jim Crow tactics. I voted No on the SAVE Act today.”