Trump Invokes India’s Election System to Promote the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act

President Donald Trump used India’s recent general election as a benchmark for U.S. voting reforms. He argued that every Indian voter possessed a valid photo ID and called for immediate passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register and a nationwide photo-ID requirement to vote.

The HinduSouth China Morning Post

• 646 million voters in India’s most recent general election (Trump’s claim).

South China Morning Post

• < 1 % of those voters cast ballots by mail (Trump’s claim).

The Hindu

• The White House fact-sheet notes that India and Brazil have linked voter ID cards to biometric databases, whereas the United States relies on self-attestation.

The Hindu

• Donald Trump – “Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration – How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID,” “Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration – How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID,” — Mr. Trump, president.

The Hindu

• Sergio Gor, U.S. Ambassador to India – posted a photo shaking hands with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and expressed support for the legislation.

South China Morning Post

• The White House website’s fact-sheet on the SAVE America Act outlines the bill’s provisions, including the voter-ID requirement and a ban on men competing in women’s sports, as well as a prohibition on gender-affirming surgery for minors.

The Hindu

• “Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration – How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID,” — Donald Trump, President

The Hindu

The SAVE America Act has stalled in the Senate, which entered a five-week recess earlier this month without advancing the measure. Both Democratic and Republican senators remain divided on the proposal. The legislation is expected to be a focal point of the November 3 midterm elections, as lawmakers consider whether to adopt the stricter voting rules Trump advocates.

South China Morning Post