Yeah. You read that headline. And trust me, I’m not being over-dramatic on this.
Here’s the core. If the SAVE Act passed, the only way someone could be eligible to vote in the United States is if they possessed a birth certificate and current passport in which their name matched EXACTLY to both documents. These documents must be presented at the polling location in order to vote.
So that means, if this law passes, the following people would be immediately disenfranchised from the voting rolls:
- Women who, upon marriage, took their husband’s surname.
- Trans and non-binary people who chose to legally change their name to reflect their identity.
- Those who changed their name based on their religion (i.e., adding “El-” to your name after you have completed the haj to Mecca).
- People who possess rural ID’s (neither those nor driver’s licenses are considered acceptable).
- People who vote by mail (you need to present your documents in person at the polling station).
- Me.
See, in 2022, I legally changed my name from Charles David Miller to Chuck David-Paul Miller. And I blogged about my decision. Because, of course I did.
But this now means that because my current name does not match my birth certificate, I would be denied my right to vote.
And it just keeps on coming. Honestly, this one piece of legislation could theoretically cripple both the Nineteenth and the Fifteenth Amendments in one stroke.
What I’m saying is … be prepared for what’s coming. Get your paperwork in order. Check with your local Board of Elections and see how this might affect your rights.
Because I’m sure as hell going to do it. And don’t give me this, “Oh, come on, Chuck, the voting board is going to know the difference between ‘Chuck’ and ‘Charles,’ you have nothing to worry about.”
Horseshit. Ask any person of color whose name has a one-letter variation from their birth certificate to their driver’s license about how much trouble they have when voting. “I’m sorry, but your birth certificate says Desiree, but your driver’s license says Desirae, you must be two different people, you’re not allowed to vote, get out of our polling station.” You don’t think that’s already happening? Have you ever tried voting in a Southern state??
Yeah, this is going from bad to worse.
And if you don’t think this will affect you …
Think again.
Chuck The Writer 