Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is pushing back against Republican-backed federal legislation that would tighten the rules around voting, calling it a “trick.”
H.R. 22, also known as the “SAVE Act,” would require proof of U.S. citizenship in all states for federal voter registration.
One of the first bills introduced in the 2025 legislative session and sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the act currently has 86 co-sponsors. Not a single Democrat has signed onto the bill.
“The SAVE Act masquerades as a reasonable election security bill, but the president, the bill’s sponsors and opponents of democracy everywhere know its true purpose – to end American elections as we know them,” said Benson in a video. “How would they do that? By going after your right to vote.”
Benson, who is also running for governor, has been a vocal critic of Republican policies and the Trump administration. Benson, though very popular with Democrats, has continued to be a controversial figure since the 2020 General Election.
On Tuesday, she doubled down on her criticism of the act, calling the legislation a “trojan horse of barriers to voting.”
If passed, the SAVE Act would also require for federal elections that:
• Voter registration is done in person.
• Standardizes the documents that can be accepted as proof of citizenship.
• States remove non citizens from voter rolls.
Republicans argue the bill is necessary for ensuring the security of federal elections.
“It’s time for Congress to listen,” said Roy’s press office. “The SAVE Act will be a critical component to deliver on Trump’s mandate to secure the border, secure our elections, and reduce the incentives for people to come illegally into the U.S.”
The Michigan Department of State, run by Benson, joined Democrats in highlighting concerns with the act.
“The proposed legislation would significantly affect tribal citizens, low-income earners, people in rural communities, Black Michiganders, and active-duty military members who may not have access to federal identifying documents or resources to properly obtain one,” the department said in a statement.
Congress, with Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, is expected to fast-track the SAVE Act into law in the coming weeks.
Benson said in a press conference last week that is why she is speaking out against the legislation now.
“This appears to be an effort to take isolated circumstances, extrapolate them out to completely change an election system,” Benson said. “That would ultimately result in taking us backwards and having less people voting than before, making it more difficult for eligible citizens to participate in our elections.”
This legislative session, Michigan state House Republicans have introduced a similar voting proposal, House Joint Resolution B, requiring a verification of a voter’s U.S. citizenship.
“Common sense is the name of the game for the New Republican Party,” said state Rep. Bryan Posthumus, a sponsor of the resolution. “For me, that means closing obvious loopholes in our election integrity.”
That bill will be heard by committee Wednesday.
