Ahead of a contentious midterm election, Congress is considering legislation that would raise barriers to voting. Take action.
The SAVE America Act (S. 1383), which is an expanded version of The SAVE Act (H.R. 22/S. 128), would create far-reaching changes to federal voting law. Changes would include adding requirements for voters to provide burdensome proof of eligibility, including documentary proof of U.S. citizenship like birth certificates to register to vote, and stricter photo identification, such as passport requirements for casting a ballot. These changes would not make any noticeable change to election security. By making it harder to both prove eligibility and register to vote, the adjustments would disproportionately impact rural, low-income and marginalized communities, and members of Tribal Nations.
The ELCA affirms voter participation as an exercise in citizenship and condemns efforts to restrict access – especially for low-income communities which are often left out of the election process. The ELCA social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” urges rejection of “antidemocratic exclusion” efforts to restrict voting, including “requiring voters to show identification without issuing identification to all eligible voters,” purging voter rolls, and more.
If passed, both the SAVE Act and the SAVE America Act would:
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Hastily prompt adjustments to states’ voting systems in a rush ahead of a busy election season;
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Require strict proof of citizenship to register (such as a passport or birth certificate, which millions of American citizens access to);
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Place burden of verification not on internal state processes but on the efforts of individual citizens with the new regulation burdens.
Make senators aware of the challenges these attempts pose, and of the moral concerns from the Christian community ahead of any vote. Customizing this message with your top concerns and faith values will improve your impact. Urge Congress to oppose the SAVE Act | SAVE America Act and reject any measure that will restrict access to voting.
[Posted: 2/5/2026, Updated: 3/18/2026]
