If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

The Republican SAFE act will require voters to provide specific proof of their US citizenship. Why? Because illegal immigrants are allegedly threatening our election process. At least that’s what President Trump and Republicans claim. Ironically, the SAVE act is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. In other words, illegal immigrants don’t vote in our elections.

Consider election data. Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has tracked our presidential elections since 1980 and scoured the nation for convictions in election fraud. Guess what? They found that our presidential elections were very accurate and reliable. From 2012 to 2024 they found only 107 cases of election fraud. So, despite what Trump and Republicans have claimed, election fraud does not alter elections. Heritage did find 85 cases relating to allegations (not convictions!) of noncitizens voting…between 2002 and 2023. Bottom line: immigrants voting in national elections is simply not a problem.

Now, a real problem in our voting system is that not enough people vote! In the 2024 General Election 95 million eligible voters didn’t vote! The SAVE act is not only unnecessary, it will actually hurt our election process. Why? Because voters will have to provide a passport or a birth certificate (time and money) in order to vote. It’s just another hurdle that will increase the ranks of those who don’t vote.

We’ve all heard the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Well, in this case, Republicans, if it ain’t broke, don’t break it!