Utah is rightfully proud of being one of the first states to give women the right to vote. The SAVE Act, co-sponsored by Utah representative Burgess Owens, would challenge this legacy by disenfranchising women. This act establishes federal standards for voter registration and what documents are required. Notably, this act makes it more difficult for citizens who have changed their name to register to vote.
Proponents of the bill point out that passports alone would be sufficient, or a combination of other documents, but the problem remains — those who have changed their name will have a more difficult time engaging in this vital right to vote. Women still usually change their name when marrying, so this act will immediately make it harder for married women to vote. In a state like Utah, where the marriage rate is much higher than the national average, this is likely to have a widespread impact on Utah women.
Election integrity is indisputably important to all Americans, but it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote. Investigations into election security have repeatedly upheld that elections are secure, and noncitizen voting is rare. The SAVE Act will not meaningfully change election security, but it will harm married women and anyone who has changed their name. It will also have a disproportionately harmful impact on poorer women.
Last year, the SAVE Act passed Congress before stalling in the Senate. All four representatives at that time (Reps. Maloy, Moore, Owens and Curtis) voted in favor of the act. The act will likely be up for a vote again soon, and our representatives have the opportunity to protect Utah’s legacy valuing women’s right to vote, and having equal access to this right.
Molly Hogan, Taylorsville
