Why I'm Still Talking About the SAVE Act
- Jessica Kiragu
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
I know. You might be tired of hearing me say this name. Trust me — I’m tired of saying it. (Scroll to the bottom for what we can do!)
I’ve written about it here, and here, and here. I have thought about it, wrestled with it, and talked about it more than I ever wanted to. I genuinely wish the SAVE Act — and every voter suppression attempt like it — would disappear forever.
I’ve written about it here, and here, and here. I have thought about it, wrestled with it, and written about it more than I ever wanted to. I genuinely wish the SAVE Act — and every voter suppression attempt like it — would disappear forever.
But it hasn’t. So here we are.
The SAVE Act is still on the table, and the pressure behind it just seems to keep building. Most recently, President Trump refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill — and has pledged not to sign any bill — until the SAVE Act passes. He’s called it a “National Emergency.” Back in March 2026, he signed Executive Order 14399, directing federal agencies to increase citizenship verification requirements in federal elections.
He’s also been pretty transparent about why he wants it so badly. Trump has said he believes the SAVE Act would ensure Republicans “never lose another election for at least 50 years.” Not “ensure fair elections.” Not “protect democracy.” Never lose again. That’s not election integrity. That’s rigging a system that’s supposed to work for all of us so it only works for some of us.
And before anyone acts surprised — this is not new. Voter suppression and restriction have deep roots in this country’s history. If that surprises you, it might be because you belong to a group whose right to vote has never seriously been threatened — historically or recently.
If that’s you, I’m not calling you out. I’m calling you in.
Because the people whose votes are under attack need all of us paying attention.
The latest chapter: USPS and our mail ballots. Here’s the part that’s keeping me awake at night right now.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a new rule that would give USPS a significant new role in our voting system. Under this proposal, states would submit lists of voters eligible to receive mail ballots — and USPS would only send ballots to the voters on those lists.
On the surface, that might sound like a reasonable safeguard. But here’s the problem: deciding who gets a mail ballot has always been the job of state and local election officials. This proposal hands that power to a federal agency — and voting rights advocates, election officials, and lawmakers across the country are raising serious alarms.
They warn this could mean more technical errors. More delays. More administrative burdens. And the people most likely to be hurt? Older adults. People with disabilities. Military members. People who depend on voting by mail to make their voice heard at all.
There’s also this: local election officials might be forced to spend their limited time and resources complying with new federal requirements instead of doing the work of actually running elections.
To be clear — this rule is not currently in effect. On June 25, 2026, a federal judge blocked key parts of it while legal challenges continue. But it’s still moving through the federal rulemaking process. Which means right now — right now — the public has a window to weigh in.
Here’s what we can do — and it’s pretty easy.
Anyone can submit a public comment. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a few sentences about how this proposal could affect you, your family, your community — or simply why you believe in free and fair elections — becomes part of the official record. Agencies are required to consider public comments as they finalize rules.
Our voices matter here. Let’s use them.
I know many of us are tired. It all feels like a lot right now. But this is exactly how suppression works — it wears us down until we stop showing up. Don’t let it. Submit a comment. Share this post. Stay in the fight.
We deserve free and fair elections. All of us.
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