Leavitt Admits SAVE Act Would Put New Hurdles in Front of Married Women Voters
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that married women who have changed their last names may need to update their voter registration documents if the proposed SAVE America Act becomes law.
Speaking during a White House press briefing, Leavitt rejected criticism from Democrats that the bill would prevent married women from voting. However, she acknowledged that people who have changed their name or address—including many married women—would need to update their registration information before voting.
“The SAVE America Act does not prohibit anyone from voting, with the exception of illegal aliens,” Leavitt said. “For individuals who have changed their name or address, they simply have to go through their state’s process to update that documentation.”
The proposed legislation, backed by Republicans and strongly supported by Donald Trump, would introduce several changes to the nation’s election system. The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring proof of citizenship and proof of residency to register to vote. It would also require voter identification and mandate regular voter roll reviews.
Leavitt described the changes as common-sense reforms designed to strengthen election security.
“This is popular and rooted in common sense,” she said, adding that Americans already update documents at places like the Social Security office or the Department of Motor Vehicles when they change their names or addresses.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the measure would improve election integrity. Critics, however, warn that additional documentation requirements could make it harder for some eligible voters to register or cast ballots.
Opponents point out that millions of Americans do not have passports and that obtaining documents such as birth certificates can take time and money. They also say local election offices and agencies like the DMV could face increased workloads if large numbers of voters need to update records.
The SAVE America Act has faced political hurdles in Congress. A previous attempt to pass the bill in 2025 failed after widespread opposition. However, Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to push the legislation again.
Speaking to GOP lawmakers recently, Trump said passing the bill should be the party’s top priority before upcoming elections.
“If you don’t get it, big trouble,” Trump said, warning that he would oppose other legislation until the measure moves forward.
The debate over the proposal highlights continuing divisions in Washington over voting rules and election administration as lawmakers prepare for the next federal election cycle.
