In the last election, Rep Keith Self cruised to victory in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District with a comfortable margin, snagging more than 60% of the vote. Voter turnout wasn’t too shabby either, with Collin County hitting around 69%. So naturally, Rep Self has responded to this thriving voter participation by introducing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act—a solution desperately seeking a problem.
On the surface, safeguarding election integrity sounds commendable. However, let’s examine the facts closely. The Texas Attorney General’s office, hardly known for shying away from aggressively pursuing voter fraud, prosecuted roughly 100 election fraud cases statewide over five years. Put into context, that’s fewer cases of fraud than you’d encounter on an average weekend round of golf at Mar-a-Lago—especially when you consider the approximate 30.8 million ballots cast by Texans during that same timeframe. This hardly constitutes a crisis.
In TX-3, where documented voter fraud occurs about as often as snowfall in July, imposing these stringent voter registration requirements seems not only unnecessary but burdensome. Requiring voters to produce passports or birth certificates to register may disproportionately inconvenience seniors, rural residents, and communities lacking immediate access to these documents—which, realistically, describes most residents. Imagine the difficulty for someone who’s lived and voted in the same community for decades suddenly being forced to dig up paperwork that hasn’t been needed in years. The expense alone—whether for a passport renewal, obtaining a duplicate birth certificate, or securing a naturalization certificate—could unfairly penalize voters.
The SAVE Act feels akin to installing TSA-level security at your neighborhood lemonade stand: excessive, costly, and designed to combat threats that simply don’t exist. Perhaps Rep. Self could better spend his energy addressing more tangible community concerns—like improving local roads, investing in quality education, or supporting small businesses still struggling from economic setbacks.
Local poll workers, who have dedicated decades to helping elections run smoothly, find the proposed law puzzling. These are familiar faces—community members who’ve peacefully participated election after election. Treating them as potential threats is not only absurd; it’s frankly insulting. Ask around at local diners, community centers, or senior facilities whether voter fraud ranks high on anyone’s list of concerns, and you’ll likely be met with amused disbelief.
Moreover, implementing such stringent measures doesn’t just inconvenience voters—it places a serious strain on local governments that are already operating under tight budgets. And in an era where lawmakers and billionaires alike seem more interested in swinging chainsaws at public spending than investing in services—picture Elon Musk gleefully wielding one on stage—the burden only grows heavier. Instead of funding more poll workers, expanding voter education, or making polling places more accessible, valuable resources could end up tied up in bureaucratic red tape and compliance headaches.
Rather than sowing suspicion and erecting barriers to voting, Rep. Self and fellow legislators might prioritize efforts that genuinely enhance democratic participation—such as increasing voter education programs, expanding accessibility at polling stations, and proactively reaching out to historically underrepresented communities. Let’s see initiatives that engage young voters, assist seniors, and ensure disabled voters can participate effortlessly.
Election security is critical, undoubtedly. But the SAVE Act seems more like political theater than meaningful reform. Instead of erecting hurdles, our leaders should strive to make voting simpler and more inclusive. Imagine an election system that actively encourages everyone in TX-3 to participate. Now that’s a cause worth supporting.
