The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the SAVE Act, a significant legislative step requiring all new voter registrants to prove U.S. citizenship. Importantly, this requirement does not apply to those who are already registered. In an era marked by increasing numbers of illegal immigrants entering through both the northern and southern borders, such a measure seems both timely and necessary. It stands to reason that individuals who disregard immigration laws might also be inclined to violate voting regulations.
Predictably, most Democrats opposed this measure, including both of New Hampshire’s congressmen, even though most voters approve of Voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements. The Democrats’ stated reasons for opposition appear disingenuous, masking their true motives.
In New Hampshire, the process for registering to vote requires proof of four criteria:
- Identity
- Residency
- Age (18+)
- U.S. Citizenship
Once these criteria are verified, the individual is considered a qualified voter. When voting on election day, voters only need to verify their identity if they are already registered.
New Hampshire House Republicans have addressed this issue with HB1569, aiming to end the practice of using affidavits as proof of citizenship. Under the affidavit system, an individual could simply sign a statement asserting their eligibility to vote, without presenting any ID or supporting documents. New Hampshire Democrats vehemently opposed this change, citing baseless accusations of “racism and voter suppression.”
Regarding the SAVE Act, Democrats again expressed exaggerated outrage, arguing that some individuals might be unable to produce the required documents, likening the requirement to a “poll tax.” However, these documents are necessary for many things involving the Federal government, such as obtaining Social Security, applying for SNAP and TANF benefits, and securing private or public employment. Within the next year, these documents will be required for air travel.
New Hampshire Democrats claim that implementing HB1569 before the upcoming November election is infeasible due to time constraints. Nonetheless, it is widely anticipated that if Gov. Chris Sununu signs the bill into law, the ACLU would file a lawsuit, resulting in a judicial delay of the bill’s implementation until after the election.
This situation begs the question: Why do Democrats oppose requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration when such documentation is essential for numerous other programs they support? Who do you think these illegal voters will be casting a ballot for- the party that wants to send them back to the country of origin or the party that puts them up in high-end hotels and gives them financial benefits? You know the answer.
By passing the SAVE Act, the House has taken a step toward ensuring the integrity of our voting system, emphasizing the importance of citizenship in the democratic process. This measure aims to protect the electoral process from potential abuses and maintain public trust in the legitimacy of election outcomes. Gov. Sununu could do the same for the Granite State and sign HB1569.
