Kelly Dufour on the potential impact of Ohio’s SAVE Act

Kelly Dufour, Voting and Elections Manager at Common Cause Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, its impact on voter accessibility and the challenges it poses to election officials.

The SAVE Act proposes changing voter identification regulations by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Dufour highlighted that while federal law already mandates citizenship for voting, this new requirement would necessitate in-person documentation, such as a birth certificate or passport, even for simple updates like an address change. Dufour claimed this could disproportionately affect women whose names have changed due to marriage and the 150 million Americans without passports, creating barriers for many eligible voters.

Dufour is concerned the legislation could disenfranchise millions, particularly seniors, women and those in rural areas. She noted that the act lacks federal funding for state implementation, placing an undue burden on states to comply. The requirement for in-person documentation could deter many from voting, especially those who have been long-time voters. Dufour said these voters may face difficulties obtaining necessary documents due to various challenges including age or mobility issues.

The act also poses significant challenges for election officials, who may face criminalization for errors in voter registration. Dufour emphasized that many officials lack the training to verify complex documentation like naturalization papers, and the act's lack of a phase-in period could make these challenges worse. This could lead to increased pressure on already overburdened and underfunded election offices, potentially impacting the integrity of the electoral process.

Listen to the full episode to hear Dufour’s thoughts on the SAVE Act and its potential impact on voting rights.