“Save” Trump, Not Democracy

With the midterms bearing down, Donald Trump is calling for the SAVE Act. But what exactly is he trying to save? My guess: himself and his party from getting kicked in the behind by voters.

The proposal would require Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, creating new hurdles for citizens who don’t have a passport or ready access to their birth certificate. People whose names have changed could face additional paperwork.

And what crisis would all this bureaucracy solve? Noncitizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections, and documented cases are rare. There is no evidence of the widespread illegal voting Trump has suggested.

Americans should be able to hold their elected officials accountable at the ballot box without jumping through unnecessary hoops. If Republicans are worried about losing the midterms, they should try giving voters a reason to support them—rather than making it harder for citizens to vote.