Republicans Push Voter ID and Proof-of-Citizenship Requirements in ACE and SAVE Acts

Dec 26, 2024, 03:25 PM

Republicans in Congress, with control of the White House and both chambers, are planning to move quickly to overhaul the nation's voting procedures. They aim to push through long-sought changes, including voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements, in an effort to restore public confidence in elections. This initiative follows pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, who continues to advocate for changes despite his victory in the November election. The main legislative proposals expected to be advanced are the American Confidence in Elections Act (ACE) and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE). GOP Representative Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, chair of the Committee on House Administration, emphasized the need to improve Americans' confidence in elections. However, these proposals are likely to face opposition from Democrats, who argue that such measures could restrict voting access. The GOP's narrow majorities in both the House and Senate may limit their room for maneuver, with potential for some reforms and tweaks to the original proposals to gain bipartisan support. New York Representative Joe Morelle, the ranking Democrat on the committee, has expressed concerns that the ACE and SAVE Acts could make it harder for people to vote.