Fact Check: "New tool could disenfranchise millions of voters."
What We Know
The claim that a new tool could disenfranchise millions of voters is rooted in recent legislative and administrative developments concerning voter registration and citizenship verification. The proposed SAVE Act, reintroduced by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, would require all voters to prove their American citizenship in person when registering to vote or updating their voter registration information. This requirement could potentially disenfranchise over 21 million citizens who lack the necessary documentation, such as a passport or birth certificate (Brookings).
Additionally, the Trump administration has developed a national citizenship data system designed to assist state and local election officials in verifying voter citizenship. This system allows officials to check the citizenship status of voters against federal databases, which has raised concerns about its potential misuse and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters (NPR). Critics argue that the in-person requirement and the reliance on this new tool could disproportionately affect rural voters and those who have difficulty accessing the required documentation (Brookings).
Analysis
The SAVE Act's requirement for in-person verification of citizenship is a significant change in the voter registration process. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, this legislation could disenfranchise tens of millions of American voters, particularly affecting women who may have changed their names and individuals in rural areas who would need to travel long distances to comply with the new regulations (Brookings).
Furthermore, the national citizenship data system developed by the Trump administration has been described as a "sea change" in how voter citizenship is verified. While it aims to streamline the process, it has been criticized for lacking transparency and for the potential risks associated with data privacy and security (NPR). Legal experts have expressed concerns that such a system could lead to erroneous disenfranchisement, echoing past instances where data matching efforts resulted in eligible voters being incorrectly flagged as ineligible (NPR).
The credibility of the sources discussing these developments is generally high. Brookings is a well-respected think tank known for its research and analysis on governance issues, while NPR is a reputable news organization that provides in-depth reporting on political matters.
Conclusion
The claim that a new tool could disenfranchise millions of voters is True. The SAVE Act's stringent requirements for proving citizenship, coupled with the implementation of a national citizenship data system, pose significant risks of disenfranchisement for many eligible voters. The evidence indicates that these measures could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women and rural voters, thereby undermining the democratic process.
