Phoenix, AZ – Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Maricopa County regarding Congressional efforts to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require all voters to present a passport or birth certificate to register to vote. Over 21 million Americans do not have easy access to these documents, and in Arizona, where documentary-proof-of-citizenship laws are already in effect, there is evidence that the requirements disproportionately keep voters of color, young voters, and voters with low incomes from voting. In response, All Voting is Local Arizona State Director Alex Gulotta issued the following statement:
“Secretary Noem’s press conference about the newest iteration of the SAVE Act shows us once again how the Trump administration and its allies will stop at nothing to seize power from the voters for themselves by attempting to keep Arizonans and voters across this nation from voting. That is not what most Americans want—they want every eligible voter to be able to cast a ballot and have their vote counted.
“Today, Secretary Noem made it abundantly clear—the Trump administration’s actions are all connected. Whether it is pushing legislation that would keep 21 million Americans from voting, seizing election-related materials from Fulton County, refusing to rule out ICE at polling locations, threatening to ‘nationalize’ elections, or attempting to force states to hand over their voter rolls, there is no redline Trump and his administration won’t cross to undermine Americans for their own political gain as they continue to peddle lies about our elections.
“But our call is clear: Hands off our vote. It is time that election officials and voters themselves name these threats plainly and protect the freedom to vote for millions of Americans who depend on access to the ballot box to improve their everyday lives. ”