Democrats Argue SAVE Act Would Exclude Half of PA Voters

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon Voices Concerns Over Pennsylvania’s SAVE Act

During a recent town hall, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) expressed her concerns regarding the SAVE Act, suggesting it may disenfranchise a significant portion of Pennsylvania’s voters by imposing identification requirements at the polls.

She pointed out that the act mandates a Real ID that verifies citizenship. “Only five states offer a Real ID confirming citizenship,” she explained, “and Pennsylvania isn’t among them.”

Scanlon reminisced about the challenges many faced in obtaining a Real ID. “Even if you managed to get one, only about half of us actually possess it. So, if you want to register to vote, you’re looking at an unnecessary obstacle,” she stated. “It just adds more layers.”

She further dismissed arguments surrounding potential voter fraud, citing research to bolster her viewpoint.

“Studies have consistently shown that non-citizens aren’t participating in elections, so this is more about stirring fear and creating barriers for voters,” she asserted. “Here in Pennsylvania, we see that many individuals lack Real IDs or passports. If this legislation goes through, we might end up disenfranchising nearly half of our voters.”

On the broader issue of voter fraud, while this topic often sparks debate, Scanlon’s argument seems to falter when compared to factual evidence. In Georgia, for instance, voter turnout either increased or remained stable after similar laws were implemented. After some adjustments, early voting made a significant leap in participation during the 2022 midterm elections.

Recent data indicated that Georgia voters experienced record turnout during the primary season, prompting even Republican Governor Brian Kemp to express concern over a shift in Democratic turnout.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State, almost one million individuals participated in early voting, surpassing the previous record of roughly 857,000 from 2022’s primary elections.