The Voter Access & Simplicity Act (VASA) is designed to simplify voter registration, ensure voter roll accuracy, and improve access to identification for both citizens and non-citizens legally permitted to vote in state and local elections. VASA creates a unified identification system where citizenship status, reflected on state-issued IDs, becomes the primary determinant of voter eligibility at the polls. This proposal contrasts with the SAVE Act, which imposes a more complex and broad approach to voter eligibility.
Key Provisions of VASA:
Automatic Voter Registration at the DMV:
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Citizenship-Based Automatic Registration: U.S. citizens who verify their citizenship status while obtaining or renewing a state-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) at a DMV or equivalent office will be automatically registered to vote. This eliminates the need for separate voter registration processes.
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Opt-out Provision: Citizens will have the right to decline automatic registration but can choose to register later through state or local channels.
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Streamlined Registration Updates: DMVs will transmit voter registration data in real time to election authorities, ensuring updates to residency, name, or citizenship status are reflected immediately.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship, but it does not incorporate automatic voter registration. VASA simplifies the process by integrating automatic registration at DMVs, leveraging existing infrastructure for efficiency. This approach reduces administrative burden and streamlines voter registration updates, unlike the SAVE Act’s reliance on separate bureaucratic processes.
Voter ID System (Before Unified ID System):
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Temporary Voter IDs: While state IDs and driver’s licenses are being updated to include a citizenship marker, VASA will issue temporary voter IDs at no cost to citizens and non-citizens eligible to vote in state or local elections. These temporary IDs will indicate eligibility based on citizenship status:
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Citizens: Temporary voter IDs will reflect eligibility to vote in federal, state, and local elections. Non-Citizens: Temporary voter IDs will reflect eligibility to vote only in state and local elections, preventing non-citizens from receiving federal election ballots.
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Expiration and Transition: Once state IDs are updated with citizenship status markers, temporary voter IDs will be phased out. All individuals will then use their updated state-issued IDs for voting.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act requires stricter and immediate proof of citizenship but does not provide a clear interim solution. VASA, by offering temporary voter IDs during the transition to a fully integrated system, ensures voters can participate without disruption or delay, while preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections.
Unified ID System Proposal:
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State-Issued IDs with Citizenship Status: Post-transition, state-issued IDs will include a citizenship status marker, which will be the sole determinant of ballot eligibility at the polls:
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Citizenship Marker: This marker will indicate whether the individual is eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections, or only in state and local elections.
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Elimination of Separate Voter IDs: Once citizenship markers are fully integrated into state-issued IDs, there will no longer be a need for separate voter ID cards. The citizenship marker will be used to determine voter eligibility at the polls, simplifying the process for both election officials and voters.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act does not incorporate a citizenship marker system on state-issued IDs, nor does it propose using a unified system for all elections. Instead, it relies on more cumbersome methods of proof, potentially requiring citizens and non-citizens to provide additional documentation at the polls. VASA’s streamlined, unified system reduces confusion and ensures that voter eligibility is easily verifiable through a single ID.
Access to Free State IDs for Homeless and Low-Income Individuals:
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Free State IDs: VASA ensures that homeless and low-income individuals can obtain state-issued IDs for voting purposes at no cost, with the necessary citizenship markers for election eligibility.
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Support Systems for Obtaining IDs: States will provide assistance through shelters, community organizations, and social services to help homeless individuals obtain documentation and free IDs.
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Simplified Verification: VASA establishes alternative methods of verification for those who lack typical documentation (e.g., proof of residency), ensuring no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to financial or documentation barriers.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act lacks provisions to ensure that vulnerable populations such as the homeless can easily access free IDs. VASA addresses this gap by establishing specific pathways to help these individuals obtain IDs, ensuring that no one is disenfranchised due to their financial situation.
Voter Roll Maintenance and Accuracy:
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Contextual Voter Rolls: Voter rolls will be updated to reflect eligibility for specific elections (federal, state, or local) based on the citizenship status indicated on state-issued IDs.
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Regular Audits: Voter rolls will undergo regular audits to remove deceased voters and those who have moved out of the district. Election authorities will receive resources to ensure timely updates ahead of elections.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act broadly purges non-citizens from voter rolls without considering their eligibility for state or local elections, where permitted by law. VASA ensures a contextual approach, where non-citizens eligible for local elections are included, but only for those specific elections. This prevents unnecessary voter purging and ensures accuracy in all types of elections.
Purging Deceased Citizens from Voter Rolls:
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Automated Removal of Deceased Voters: Voter rolls will be cross-referenced with state and federal records, and deceased individuals will be removed in an automated, timely manner. Roll updates will occur at least every three months.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: Both acts aim to maintain accurate voter rolls by removing deceased individuals. However, VASA prioritizes the use of automated systems to cross-check records, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing human error. The SAVE Act relies more on manual processes, which can be slower and less efficient.
Accountability and Support for Election Officials:
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Training and Resources: Election officials will be trained on maintaining accurate voter rolls, verifying eligibility, and using the updated system to ensure integrity and efficiency in managing voter registration.
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Penalties for Fraud: Election officials who commit fraud, such as registering ineligible individuals or tampering with voter rolls, will face penalties including fines and criminal charges.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act leans heavily on punitive measures without offering the same level of training and resources for election officials. VASA strikes a balance by providing support to officials, ensuring they are equipped to manage the system while enforcing penalties for intentional misconduct.
Simplified Access via a Citizenship Portal:
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Centralized Portal: VASA establishes a centralized portal where citizens and eligible non-citizens can verify their voter registration status, update identification documents, and resolve discrepancies long before election day.
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User-Friendly Features: The portal will notify individuals when their state IDs need updating and will provide easy access to resources for applying for or renewing their IDs.
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Contrast with the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act does not provide a centralized platform for managing voter registration and identification updates. VASA’s online portal simplifies access, making it easier for voters to stay informed and keep their documentation current, reducing confusion and potential barriers on election day.
Clarification on Non-Citizen Voter Roll Maintenance:
VASA ensures that non-citizens are only included in voter rolls for local and state elections where permitted. By using a citizenship marker on state-issued IDs, the system ensures that federal ballots are only issued to U.S. citizens, simplifying voter roll maintenance and enhancing the integrity of elections.
Why VASA is the Better Approach:
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Simplicity and Streamlining: VASA’s reliance on a single state-issued ID with a citizenship marker simplifies the process for voters and election officials. Post-transition, election eligibility is determined by the citizenship status reflected on the state ID, eliminating the need for additional voter IDs.
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Compared to the SAVE Act: VASA’s approach is more streamlined and efficient, whereas the SAVE Act imposes additional layers of proof and separate processes for citizenship verification and voter registration.
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Access for Vulnerable Populations: VASA ensures that homeless and low-income individuals can obtain free state-issued IDs, allowing them to vote without financial barriers or burdensome documentation requirements.
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Compared to the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act does not address the specific needs of vulnerable populations, whereas VASA provides clear pathways to help these individuals access the identification needed to vote.
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Unified and Secure System: By integrating voter eligibility into state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses, VASA creates a unified, efficient system for determining voter eligibility. This improves the security of elections and reduces the risk of errors at the polls.
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Compared to the SAVE Act: VASA creates a simpler, more secure system, while the SAVE Act introduces complexity with its broad purges and manual verification processes.
The Voter Access & Simplicity Act (VASA) provides a comprehensive, modernized solution to voter registration and identification, ensuring that citizenship status, reflected on state-issued IDs, determines eligibility for all elections. This unified approach eliminates redundancy, increases access, and enhances the security of federal, state, and local elections. VASA stands in contrast to the SAVE Act by offering a streamlined, accessible, and equitable system for all voters, particularly addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and creating a simplified path to election participation.
(Conceived by TheZigPC on X)
I posted Draft Legislative BILL Version on X ---->