Rep. Chip Roy Denies SAVE Act Would Disenfranchise Women Voters

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, pushed back hard on claims that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would disenfranchise women voters, stating lawmakers were “very specific” in crafting the bill’s citizenship verification provisions.

Appearing Monday during an interview, Roy dismissed Democratic arguments that the legislation could create problems for married women whose legal names differ from those on their birth certificates.

“Well, it sure is news to my wife and my mom and all of the women in my life that somehow we’re moving legislation to prevent them from voting,” Roy said. “The simple truth is it’s just not true.”

Roy emphasized that the bill was written with flexibility in mind, particularly regarding proof-of-citizenship requirements.

“We were very specific in how we did this,” he stated. “We made clear in the SAVE Act that we allow lots of opportunity for states to produce systems and processes by which women can ensure their citizenship is verified and check the voter rolls.”

He noted the legislation includes an affidavit option for voters whose documentation reflects different names.

“But to be very specific, we included a provision that allows a person, whether male or female, to sign an affidavit and say, ‘Look, I’m Sarah Smith on my birth certificate; I’m Sarah Jones on my driver’s license. I’m the same person,’” Roy explained. “They have to sign that affidavit under penalty of perjury.”

Roy added lawmakers had “bent over backwards” to ensure states have flexibility while maintaining election safeguards.

“We’ve actually bent over backwards to make sure there are clear lanes for states to be flexible on this,” he said. “And under federal law, there is an affidavit option so no one can possibly be denied the ability to register to vote.”

Roy condemned Democratic criticism of the measure as misleading.

“It’s a complete lie. They’re doing it on purpose because they certainly want noncitizens to vote,” he stated. “That’s the real truth. They’re very open about it.”