The Save America Act and Impact on Women Voters
The nineteenth amendment said, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex” Yet here we are.
The US House-passed SAVE America Act would set national rules for federal elections that require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot.
One group that will feel the impact quickly is married women who changed their last name. For many Americans, the easiest proof-of-citizenship document to access is a birth certificate—but it typically shows a person’s name at birth. If your current legal name (on your driver’s license, for example) doesn’t match your birth certificate, you will need additional paperwork—such as a marriage certificate, court order, or other state-approved documentation—to connect those identities.
Four things you can do NOW to ensure your ability to vote if you changed your last name when married:
Gather your “name chain” documents. Keep a folder (paper and digital) with your certified birth certificate plus any marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court-ordered name-change documents that link your birth name to your current legal name.
Confirm your voter registration details early. Check your registration well before an election—especially after moving, changing your name, or changing parties—so you have time to fix issues if your record needs updating.
Make sure you have acceptable photo ID—and a backup plan. Verify which IDs your state accepts for in-person voting and what to do if you don’t have one yet (for example, getting a state ID, learning provisional-ballot rules, or using any state-provided alternatives).
Get a passport or a passport card. Both require proof of US citizenship but a passport card is the least expensive option($65) if you are not planning international travel except to Canada or Mexico
Elections begin in the fall. Get your paperwork done now and let your state representative and federal representatives know you are opposed to this bill.
Contributed by Judith Bitterli
