The SAVE America Act Threatens Access to the Ballot for Over 36 Million Eligible Latino Voters
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate voted to bring the SAVE America Act onto the Senate floor for debate after unrelenting pressure from the President. In response, Voto Latino issued the following statement:
“Instead of tackling the pressing issues facing hardworking families—from grocery prices to gas costs to the cost of living—Senate Republicans have bowed to President Trump’s demands to solve a problem that doesn’t exist and is already addressed by law. With the SAVE America Act now making its way to the Senate floor for debate, it serves as a reminder that Republicans will stop at nothing to rig the system and cheat their way into electoral victories. If this bill passes, it would impact all Americans and their freedoms. In particular, Black Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and married women—among others—stand to lose their constitutional right to vote.
Make no mistake: the SAVE America Act would force over 36 million eligible Latino voters to navigate new bureaucratic hurdles just to register or update their voter information—requirements that many people simply cannot meet, even though they are fully eligible to vote. This troubling pattern by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans is setting a dangerous precedent in our electoral process. Whether it’s the mid-cycle redrawing of Congressional maps to dilute representation from diverse communities, or hinting at having ICE present at polling sites, these are not fringe ideas; it is all part of a coordinated strategy that should concern us all.
The Senate must reject this modern-day poll tax. Full stop.”
The impact of the SAVE America Act will reverberate among the Latino community in different ways:
- Millions of Latino Eligible Voters at Risk
Latinos are one of the fastest-growing and most decisive voting blocs in the country, with over 36 million Latino citizens eligible to vote.
- Latino Citizens Without Passports
About 4 in 10 Latino citizens lack a valid passport, meaning millions could face new hurdles under documentary proof of citizenship requirements. With passport costs ranging from $65 to $195, these requirements create disproportionate financial barriers for Latino families.
- Latinos Are the Largest Share of Naturalized Voters
Latinos make up about 34% of all naturalized U.S. citizens, efficiently making up the largest share of this group. Many rely on documents like naturalization certificates, which are expensive and difficult to replace—putting them at heightened risk under stricter documentation rules.
- A Young Electorate Facing New Barriers
Latinos are the youngest major voting group in the country, with about 1.4 million Latino citizens turning 18 each year. New documentation requirements disproportionately impact first-time voters who are less likely to already have passports or navigate complex bureaucratic processes.
Now more than ever, Voto Latino is committed to continuing to inform, mobilize, and empower Latino voters ahead of the 2026 election. We will continue to double down on clarifying misleading narratives being amplified by the Trump administration and ensuring that voters have the information and resources they need to participate in our democracy.
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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered over two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.