White House Uses Black History Message to Promote Bill Critics Say Would Disenfranchise Black Voters

"The Trump administration has used an official Black History Month announcement to promote the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would likely disenfranchise millions of Black voters throughout the United States if passed into law. In its announcement, titled "President Trump Celebrates Black History Month: Advancing Opportunity and Prosperity for Every American," the White House described the SAVE America Act as one of many "initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to black families." "President Trump's historic push to pass the SAVE America Act will safeguard the voices of black Americans - and all Americans - by preventing illegal votes from disenfranchising any citizen," the announcement stated."

"The bill, which has already passed the House of Representatives, contains many provisions that will likely disenfranchise people from marginalized communities, including Black voters, through the enactment of strict voter identification requirements. ID laws have always been inherently racist (as well as unnecessary and ineffective), as systemic obstacles make it harder for nonwhite voters to obtain the documents that are needed to get compliant identification. The list of IDs acceptable for voting would be narrowed under the provisions of the bill."

An official White House Black History Month announcement promoted the SAVE America Act as delivering benefits to Black families and safeguarding votes from illegal ballots. The bill would enact strict voter identification requirements and narrow the list of acceptable IDs for registration and voting. Such provisions would likely disenfranchise millions of people from marginalized communities, including a disproportionate number of Black voters. Systemic obstacles make it harder for nonwhite voters to obtain required documents. An estimated 21 million Americans lack access to documents like passports or birth certificates that the bill would require. The bill has passed the House.

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