3. Married women who changed their names would likely face additional requirements
Up to 69 million American women changed their names after they got married and therefore don't have birth certificates that match their current names, according to an analysis by the progressive Center for American Progress. These women would likely need additional documentation, such as a name change document or marriage certificate, to register to vote.
4. Voter registration would likely require a visit to a government office
The bill specifies that if someone registers by mail they must present their documents "in person to the office of the appropriate election official" before the voter registration deadline passes (or if they are in a state where voters can register at a polling place, they could show their documents there). That requirement would also "completely upend" third-party voter registration drives that rely on mail forms, said Jonathan Diaz, an attorney with Campaign Legal Center, which advocates for expanded voter access and opposes the SAVE Act.
The bill does not mention online voter registration, which is an option in most states. Neither Roy or Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., the bill's other lead sponsor, responded to an NPR inquiry requesting more details.
5. Election officials have concerns about implementation and new criminal penalties
Fontes said the lawmakers who came up with the SAVE Act may have had a noble idea, but the bill as written is deeply flawed.
"It's going to put a heavy burden on localities and it's really bad for voters," Fontes said.
Some Republican state officials have also voiced concerns with how the bill would be implemented.
Michael Siegrist, a Democrat who runs elections as town clerk in Canton, Mich., said it would be necessary for his office to add some evening hours to accommodate voters who work during the day.
And he would have to evaluate people's birth certificates, which are not uniform. "How am I supposed to know if you forged that birth certificate?" he questioned.
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