Rebecca Schweitzer Iowa: Why I Oppose the SAVE Act and What It Means for Iowa Voters

Here is my position clearly: I oppose the SAVE Act because it creates unnecessary barriers that could disenfranchise eligible voters in Iowa and across the country.

I was born and raised in Iowa. I have lived here my entire life. I care deeply about election security. I also care about making sure eligible Iowans are not pushed out of the democratic process by paperwork requirements that many cannot easily meet.

What the SAVE Act Would Require

The SAVE Act, also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, would require Americans to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections.

This is not simply showing a driver’s license.

It would require specific documentation such as:

• A valid U.S. passport

• A certified birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID

• A naturalization certificate

• Military service documentation showing U.S. place of birth

• Other narrowly defined federal proof of citizenship

Mail registration would become significantly more difficult. States would not be able to rely solely on existing verification systems. The responsibility shifts entirely to individual voters to produce paperwork.

Why This Matters in Iowa

If the SAVE Act becomes law, Iowa would feel the impact immediately.

An estimated 1.8 million Iowans do not have a valid passport. Many Iowans rely solely on a driver’s license for identification. Under this proposal, that would not be enough.

Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Iowa women may have a mismatch between their birth certificate and their current identification due to marriage or hyphenation. That could require additional documentation such as marriage certificates or court records to prove citizenship.

For rural communities, seniors, and working families, gathering these documents is not always simple or fast.

Millions of Americans Lack Required Documents

Nationally, more than 21 million voting-age citizens do not have proof of citizenship readily available. Millions do not have it at all.

Supporters often say, “Just use a passport.” But roughly half of American citizens do not have one.

Obtaining required documentation also costs money:

• A first-time adult passport costs over $160 including acceptance fees.

• A certified Iowa birth certificate copy costs $15, not including potential ordering or shipping fees.

For seniors on fixed incomes, rural voters without easy access to government offices, and families balancing work schedules, these costs and logistics can become real obstacles.

Voting should not require navigating a complex document process.

Impact on Women in Iowa

Most married women in the United States have changed their last name. That means their birth certificate often does not match their current ID.

Under a strict proof-of-citizenship system, name mismatches could trigger additional verification requirements. In Iowa alone, that could affect hundreds of thousands of women.

This is not about fraud prevention. It is about paperwork barriers.

Impact on Seniors

Older Americans are more likely to:

• Have misplaced original documents

• Rely on older paper records

• Face transportation challenges

• Live on fixed incomes

If the process becomes complicated, delayed, or expensive, some will simply give up.

When laws predictably make participation harder for specific populations, that is disenfranchisement in practice.

Election Security and Access Are Not Opposites

Noncitizen voting is already illegal. Documented cases are rare.

We can support secure elections while also ensuring eligible voters are not burdened by unnecessary obstacles.

As someone who has lived in Iowa my entire life, I believe strongly in both integrity and access. They are not mutually exclusive.

If you searched Rebecca Schweitzer Iowa, I want you to know that I will continue to speak openly about federal legislation like the SAVE Act and how it impacts Iowa voters.

Democracy works best when participation is accessible, transparent, and fair.

Rebecca Schweitzer
Iowa