Laurel M. M. Benfield navigated a complex and exhausting process to change her name legally, ensuring all her identification documents matched her new identity as a transgender woman. This journey was driven by the need to present a unified identity in various contexts, including voting and employment, to avoid future challenges. The potential passage of the SAVE Act poses new risks, as it would require specific citizenship proof, potentially disenfranchising those who legally changed their names. The law's unclear requirements could hinder the participation of marginalized groups in the electoral process, perpetuating systemic disenfranchisement.
The name change process was infuriating, vulnerable, scary, frustrating, and just never-ending... the whole point was so I can continue to publicly exist.
Under the false premise of non-citizen voter fraud, the SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship for voters, jeopardizing rights for many.
The legislation does not clarify whether name-change documents could be presented alongside citizenship documentation, creating uncertainty and barriers for voters.
Voter identification laws disproportionately impact low-income people and people of color, often serving as a tactic for disenfranchisement.
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