Secretary Simon Statement Opposing SAVE America Act Before Congressional Vote

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Secretary Simon Statement Ahead of Congressional Vote on the SAVE America Act

February 11, 2026

SAINT PAUL – On February 11, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the “SAVE America Act.”

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement ahead of the Congressional vote:

“Passage of the SAVE America Act in its current form would shut out millions of eligible American voters and upend the upcoming 2026 midterm elections which are already underway in some states. As written, it would change the foundation of state-run election systems without providing the time or money needed to make these changes.

This new legislation is a supercharged version of the 2025 SAVE Act, which passed in the U.S. House and was never considered by the U.S. Senate. In addition to imposing a new requirement to show documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote as required by the SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act would also require all voters to show a government-issued photo ID when they vote starting this year.

The SAVE America Act would effectively end online voter registration and drastically reduce the availability of mail-in voting. Millions of Americans would need to spend time and money to attempt to track down the appropriate forms of identification and then bring them to their local election office to meet the new requirements put in place by this legislation.

Further, the bill threatens election workers with lawsuits and criminal prosecution; a change made even more dire as these penalties would apply immediately. To make this clear, lawmakers are proposing changing the rules of the game overnight and then punishing anyone who doesn’t instantly adapt.

Make no mistake, this is not happening in a vacuum. The legislation comes after months of continued federal efforts to take over aspects of state election administration. Although the Constitution grants states authority over the time, place, and manner of elections, Congress is moving yet again to interfere with that authority – consistent with recent pressure by President Trump to ‘nationalize’ elections.

I urge Congress to vote ‘no’ on this legislation.”

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