Implications of the SAVE America Act on Alaskan Voter Registration

The SAVE America Act, currently under debate in the U.S. Senate, has raised concerns among Alaskan officials regarding its potential to disenfranchise thousands of voters in the state. Senator Lisa Murkowski has voiced strong opposition to the bill, which is supported by President Donald Trump and most congressional Republicans. The legislation aims to prevent noncitizens from voting but could inadvertently restrict access to voting for many Alaskans.

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The SAVE America Act mandates that voters present photo identification and documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. This requirement would necessitate in-person registration at limited election offices, which are predominantly located in urban areas. Murkowski highlighted that Alaska has only six in-person election offices and fewer than a dozen DMV offices capable of processing such documentation. She noted that approximately 25,000 of the 29,000 Alaskans who registered to vote in 2024 would face challenges under the proposed law, as many registrations are currently conducted online or through the state’s motor-voter or Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) voter processes.

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Additionally, while the bill allows individuals to self-certify their citizenship via an affidavit, this option is contingent upon demonstrating "reasonable efforts" to obtain valid identification. Murkowski expressed uncertainty about the implications of this clause, emphasizing that voting by noncitizens is a rare occurrence in Alaska, with only 70 possible cases reported since 2015.

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Murkowski's concerns are echoed by some critics who argue that the bill's measures are unnecessary given the low incidence of noncitizen voting. In contrast, Alaska's Republican representatives, including Rep. Nick Begich III and Sen. Dan Sullivan, have expressed support for the legislation. Sullivan stated that he believes showing ID and proof of citizenship is essential for election integrity, despite acknowledging the potential challenges the bill may pose for Alaskan voters.

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During a recent forum, Sullivan faced criticism for supporting the bill on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, a holiday honoring an Alaska Native civil rights leader. He defended his position by asserting his commitment to protecting voting rights for the Alaska Native community, stating, “I think voting, in my view, should be easy, but cheating on voting should not be.”

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Despite support from some Republican lawmakers, the SAVE America Act faces significant hurdles in the Senate. Murkowski and all Senate Democrats oppose the bill, and its passage would require overcoming the filibuster, necessitating 60 votes for advancement. As of now, the bill lacks sufficient support to become law.

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The SAVE America Act presents a contentious issue in Alaska, with potential implications for voter access and registration. As the Senate deliberates, the balance between election security and voter disenfranchisement remains a critical point of contention among lawmakers and constituents alike.

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• “While disenfranchisement may not be the intent of the SAVE America Act … I think that we will see that. In fact, I fully expect it to be an outcome of this,” — Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator

Alaska Beacon

• “You look at what we’re trying to chase here with this balance — with disenfranchising so many who would be faced with almost insurmountable challenges in order to register or vote — I look at this and on balance, it doesn’t weigh,” — Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator

Alaska Beacon

• “I think voting, in my view, should be easy, but cheating on voting should not be,” — Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator

Alaska Beacon