In a recent opinion piece, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) expressed her support for the “core tenets” of the SAVE America Act, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that only American citizens can vote and that identification is required. I think she makes a good point, and rather than debate the usual partisan lines, I find myself in agreement with her. It seems necessary to clarify and amend some misconceptions surrounding this matter.
To begin with, most Americans—about 84%—believe that proving citizenship is essential before registering to vote. This viewpoint is shared by many Democrats as well. Murkowski rightly states that “free and fair elections are the foundation of our country.” She also highlights an important issue regarding Alaska, which is significantly larger than Texas and presents unique logistical challenges due to its vastness and lack of infrastructure.
Still, some of her statements about the bill are inaccurate, and Alaskans, along with Americans at large, deserve to understand the specifics.
The House supported bill indicates that online voter registration isn’t being shut down. The system will inform individuals of identification requirements before they finalize their registration. Importantly, it doesn’t mandate re-registration for those already on the voter rolls or require them to dig out their birth certificates. This stipulation only relates to new applications submitted after the bill becomes effective. Furthermore, possessing a passport isn’t necessary; various documents are acceptable, including birth certificates and American Indian KIC cards. Even if someone’s name changed due to marriage or divorce, they wouldn’t lose their voting rights while awaiting new documents, as they can submit an affidavit confirming their prior name.
Murkowski presented three compelling scenarios: a young person from Savonga, an elderly Indigenous individual born before Alaska became a state, and a fisherman from Unalaska. Analyzing these examples reveals that the bill addresses situations where individuals can’t produce documentation of their U.S. citizenship. They can sign off under the risk of perjury and provide alternate evidence if needed. For the teenager in Savonga, travel isn’t necessary. The elderly individual would be protected as they’re already registered. If they moved and needed to re-register, Alaska has maintained birth records since 1913. They can request these documents by mail or online without having to leave their community. Even if their record were to vanish, they could still register through invoice verification. As for the Unalaska fisherman, the closest voter registration option might be 1,300 miles away in Anchorage, but Alaska has provisions for remote registration. The DMV in Unalaska has successfully handled local processes recently, and the township also has a library where registration may occur.
What the senator seemed to overlook is that the bill’s requirements aren’t impractical in Alaska; they align with the existing systems. More than 80% of Alaskans participate in the Permanent Fund Dividend program, which automatically registers voters. New applicants must confirm citizenship by presenting a valid document, but existing infrastructures can already manage this effectively.
This particular bill aims to address a gap: Alaska’s automatic voter registration applies only to voters through an annual process, requiring citizenship proof just once rather than yearly. Currently, there are instances where noncitizens may find themselves registered due to the state’s automatic processes following their applications for benefits. Alaska’s election website even warns that receiving a voter ID doesn’t equate to U.S. citizenship and advises non-citizens to cancel their registrations if needed. This poses a significant issue regarding accidental voter registration among noncitizens, which the bill attempts to rectify by emphasizing the proof of identity.
Moving forward, the concerns raised by the senator are legitimate and could be resolved with amendments rather than outright opposition. Legislation often involves making adjustments to garner support, a practice that Congress should embrace more consistently.
First off, considering Alaska’s geography, it might be beneficial to adjust the bill to allow proof of citizenship to be mailed in, similar to the process used for dividend applications. If that can happen efficiently, extending the same approach to voter registration seems reasonable.
Secondly, the timeline argument for enacting these changes doesn’t really hold. States like Arizona and Wyoming already require detailed proof of registration, so implementing similar measures would be relatively swift. Many Americans register at the DMV, where they present identical documents required for REAL IDs. In fact, Alaska is in a good position since it already collects necessary identification through its dividend program. The process of verifying citizenship for new registrations shouldn’t take long, and existing voters would still retain their voting rights during this transition.
Lastly, regarding accountability, the senator expressed concern over potential lawsuits against election officials. However, the current system lacks a robust enforcement mechanism, which this bill seeks to address. It introduces firm consequences for those who intentionally break the law, while also protecting clerks from undue scrutiny for honest mistakes. If necessary, adjustments can be made to safeguard those acting in good faith while holding wrongdoers responsible.
The proposed House Reconciliation 3.0 package, which includes funding for free REAL IDs for low-income individuals and additional financial support for states, means the resources needed for these changes are already available.
Senator Murkowski, your aim to address this issue effectively is clear, and I share that goal. My organization has dedicated considerable time advocating for this bill, including traveling extensively to gather support. I’m not asking you to disregard Alaska; instead, I’m urging you to help us create a workable solution for the state by voting in favor of this initiative.
Only American citizens should have the right to vote in U.S. elections. Let’s collaborate to achieve this.
