Common Cause Michigan is calling on Michigan’s two U.S. Senators to derail a voter suppression bill named the SAVE Act that passed the U.S. House today.

The SAVE Act would undeniably make it harder for Michiganders to register to vote and to vote, especially those in rural areas, those who would have to pay for new documents, and those who would be scared to make a mistake under the new requirements.

Common Cause Michigan wants to be clear about what both the SAVE Act, if it is not killed by the U.S. Senate, and House Joint Resolution B (HJR-B) would mean for Michigan voters, regardless of any small changes made to either bill: 

• Institute a modern-day poll tax by requiring Michiganders to pay for new documents like passports, possibly new birth certificates, or other very specific documents not currently required under Michigan or federal law. 

• Create voter suppression as those who cannot afford to pay for new documents, or fear repercussions if they have incorrect documents, become unregistered or denied a ballot.

• Create voter suppression if someone moves locations and is unregistered or denied a ballot for forgetting to update all documents with their current address. 

“Both the SAVE Act and The Block the Ballot HJR-B resolution in Michigan are voter suppression bills, period. They would institute modern day poll taxes, period. And they would undo popular reforms that Michigan voters have directly voted to pass. The people of Michigan don’t want voter suppression, poll taxes, or to be overridden on voting reforms they have already passed. The people’s representatives should listen and kill both the SAVE Act and HJR-B immediately,” said Quentin Turner, Common Cause Michigan Executive Director.