Washington, DC – The Women’s Disinformation Defense Project (WDDP) and the Gender Equity Coalition (GEC), including over 120 organizations at the forefront of the gender justice movement whose member organizations collectively reach millions across the country, released the following statement in advance of the U.S. Senate’s vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE America Act:

“This bill is a blatant attempt to suppress the vote and undermine our democracy by disenfranchising tens of millions of married women, moms, and young and low-income voters,” said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director of MomsRising, which co-leads the GEC. “It’s being pushed by a deeply unpopular administration looking to manufacture a problem rather than address the very real affordability and care crises faced by millions of families. It is already illegal to vote if you aren’t an American citizen. Voting rights are essential, and undermining them is an attack on our democracy. This bill is an escalation of the previously introduced SAVE Act because it would also require states to hand over their private information to the federal government and require them to provide very restrictive forms of photo identification at the polls.” 

“The SAVE America Act is voter suppression, plain and simple,” said Arisha Hatch, Executive Director at UltraViolet Action, the organization that leads the WDDP. “This bill would create barriers to voting for all Americans, but especially for the 69 million married women who have changed their names. Nearly half of all Americans do not have a passport, particularly those who are younger, who live in rural areas, or who have lower incomes, which would make it more difficult for them to register to vote.”

“This bill is designed to harm women, especially women of color, and trans people, because the administration and Republicans in Congress view these groups as a threat to their power,” said Angel Padilla, Vice President of Strategy and Policy at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), which co-leads the GEC. “We will not stand by as extremists attempt to silence women’s voices at the polls, which is why we’re calling on Congress to oppose the SAVE America Act or any version of it.”

Learn more about how the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of women and gender expansive voters.

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About the Women’s Disinformation Defense Project (WDDP)

The Women’s Disinformation Defense Project (WDDP) is a coalition of organizations working to combat gendered disinformation and protect women and marginalized communities from coordinated online harms. Led by UltraViolet Action, WDDP advances research, public education, and advocacy to hold platforms accountable, strengthen information integrity, and safeguard democratic participation.

About the Gender Equity Coalition (GEC)

The Gender Equity Coalition (GEC) is a national alliance of more than 120 organizations working to advance gender justice and equity across the United States. The coalition brings together advocates, organizers, and community leaders to promote inclusive policies, dismantle structural barriers, and expand opportunity so that people of all genders can thrive.