Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a group of 12 attorneys general, has called on the U.S. Senate to reject the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. The coalition argues that the proposed legislation would centralize election administration at the federal level, impose new restrictions on voter registration, and risk excluding millions of eligible voters.
The SAVE America Act would require individuals to present documentary proof of citizenship in person to register or update their voter information. This requirement would end online, mail-in, and automatic voter registration systems across the country.
“This proposal is an unprecedented and unabashed power grab that would strip states of their long-recognized authority over elections. It would dismantle modern voter registration systems that voters across the country rely on to make their voices heard in our democracy,” said Raoul. “The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights we have as Americans, and I will continue to join with other attorneys general to protect voters’ constitutional right to vote.”
In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Raoul and his colleagues highlighted concerns about eliminating online registration used by most states and mail-in options relied upon by service members and overseas voters. They also warned that ending automatic voter registration could undermine efforts to keep voter rolls accurate.
According to the coalition, these changes could disproportionately affect working-class Americans, rural residents, young people, and those whose legal names differ from their birth certificates. An estimated 21 million voting-age citizens do not have easy access to documents such as passports or birth certificates needed under the proposed law. Nearly 80% of married women may lack documentation reflecting their current legal name.
The attorneys general stated that citizenship is already required for federal elections and that existing state systems verify eligibility effectively. They noted that noncitizen voting is extremely rare and has not influenced federal election outcomes. By contrast, requiring documentary proof of citizenship has been shown to disenfranchise many eligible voters.
Raoul’s advocacy for protecting vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants, and seniors aligns with his office’s broader mission as described by the Illinois Attorney General. The office works on issues ranging from consumer protection and civil rights enforcement to supporting crime victims through partnerships with law enforcement agencies and providing services like complaint filing.
Joining Raoul in sending this letter were attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington.