The SAVE Act is basically a national version of NH’s HB1569 law from 2024
Last month, the Safeguard American Voter Registration Act (SAVE Act) passed the U.S. House, and now it’s in the Senate. While it’s being sold as a measure to “protect” our elections, the truth is that this bill would create new, unnecessary barriers to voter registration and could shut thousands of eligible voters out of the democratic process.
Let’s break down what this bill does, who it affects, and what you should do.
What Is the SAVE Act?
The SAVE Act, introduced on January 3, 2025, by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, passed the House with a 220–205 vote. It’s essentially a national version of New Hampshire’s HB 1569 — and it carries the same harmful implications.
If signed into law, the SAVE Act would require people to show a passport or birth certificate just to register to vote.
Why This Matters
Due to the measures implemented under HB1569, signed into law by Governor Sununu in 2024, this bill might not drastically change our voting laws in New Hampshire, but it still creates serious barriers to voting. Here's what we’ve learned in NH:
More than 600,000 people in New Hampshire don’t have a passport.
Over 335,000 residents — mostly married women — could face problems due to mismatches between their birth certificates and current IDs.
Getting updated paperwork is costly, time-consuming, and often requires access that many people simply don’t have.
In the most recent town elections, we know of at least 115 Granite Staters who were turned away because they lacked documents required under NH’s HB1569.
These requirements don’t make our elections safer — they make registration harder for everyday people who are already eligible to vote.
The Real Problem
The truth is, voter fraud is already extremely rare in the U.S. and the SAVE Act doesn’t address any real or widespread problem. Instead, it creates bureaucratic hurdles and costly barriers that could discourage or prevent eligible voters — especially those from low-income, rural, and marginalized communities — from participating in our democracy. It also adds an unnecessary burden to our already hardworking and under-resourced election officials, making it even harder for them to do their jobs.
What’s Next?
The SAVE Act was introduced in the Senate on April 10, and a hearing and vote are expected soon. President Trump has already said he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
But there’s good news: both of New Hampshire’s U.S. Senators — Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan — have committed to voting against the SAVE Act. They know how important it is to keep voting safe, secure, and accessible for all.
What we can do:
Thank our Senators: Call or email Senator Shaheen and Senator Hassan to thank them for standing up for voting access — and let them know Granite Staters are paying attention.
Share this blog: Help spread the word about the risks of the SAVE Act and encourage others to take action, too.
At the Forward Foundation, we believe democracy works best when everyone can participate. Let’s work together to keep our elections open, fair, and truly representative.
