Providence – Today, the Rhode Island Voting Access Coalition (RIVAC) sent a letter to Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Gabe Amo (D-RI) urging them to oppose the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act when it comes before the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

“The SAVE Act would disenfranchise thousands of Rhode Island citizens by creating unnecessary obstacles to register and vote,” said John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island. “Reps. Magaziner and Amo did the right thing opposing this bill in 2024, and we urge them to reject it once again.”

The RIVAC has led the movement to modernize elections in Rhode Island the last decade, including successful efforts to adopt online voter registration in 2016 and automatic voter registration in 2017.

Under the SAVE Act, Rhode Islanders would no longer be able to register online with their regular driver’s license. Married women who have changed their name will be particularly burdened because even their original birth certificate may not be enough documentary proof to register to vote.

“The SAVE Act suppresses the rights of women, black people, and our LGBTQ+ community to vote. Requiring voters to appear in person with proof of identity and citizenship puts an undue burden on the same people who fought hard for this fundamental right. Don’t allow Congress to take it away,” said Angela Lima, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

Signatories on the letter include:

ACLU of Rhode Island

ARISE

Better Elections Rhode Island

Brown Votes

Clean Water Action Rhode Island

Climate Action Rhode Island

Common Cause Rhode Island

Housing Network of Rhode Island

Every Vote Counts @ Brown

Latino Policy Institute

League of Women Voters of Rhode Island

Ocean State RCV

Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights

Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Rhode Island NOW

Rhode Island Working Families Power

The Womxn Project

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island

View the letter here. 

Learn how the SAVE Act will make it harder to vote here.

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