Several Republican lawmakers are pushing back against claims by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) that the SAVE Act would make it more difficult for married women to vote, calling her criticism misleading and arguing that the legislation simply establishes citizenship verification requirements.
Speaking during a town hall event, Slotkin argued that the bill is intended to “rig our democracy so that it would be hard for any Democrat in any state to win any election.”
She also claimed the legislation would “disenfranchise all married women,” contending that women who changed their last names after marriage would need to produce birth certificates when voting if their identification no longer matched their birth records.
Her comments prompted an immediate response from several Republican senators.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) dismissed the argument as inaccurate.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) falsely claims the SAVE Act would “disenfranchise all married women… You’d have to show your birth certificate at the polls if you have a married name.” pic.twitter.com/IMYHXkRJ93
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 11, 2026
“This talking point from the Left is not only false, but it also paints women as incapable, which we all know is not the case,” Paul wrote on X. “Showing up to the polls to vote with an ID that proves you’re an American citizen – whether you’re married or not – is common sense. We need to pass the SAVE America Act.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) made a similar argument, comparing the proposed documentation requirements to those already used for employment verification.
“By that same logic, no married woman in America could fill out an I-9 form—which every American must do when starting a new job,” Lee wrote. “This is absurd. And it highlights why we need to pass the SAVE America Act.”
The broader debate over the SAVE Act has centered on whether requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote would strengthen election integrity or create unnecessary obstacles for eligible voters.
This talking point from the Left is not only false, but it also paints women as incapable, which we all know is not the case.
Showing up to the polls to vote with an ID that proves you’re an American citizen – whether you’re married or not – is common sense. We need to pass the… https://t.co/pWJbU2Hv5a
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 13, 2026
Supporters of the legislation argue that citizenship verification is a reasonable safeguard designed to ensure that only American citizens participate in federal elections. Opponents contend that some eligible voters could encounter practical difficulties obtaining or presenting the required documentation, particularly if legal name changes create discrepancies between records.
Republicans have also pointed to voting data from states with stricter election laws to challenge claims that such measures inevitably suppress turnout.
Georgia has become one of the most frequently cited examples.
Following a series of election reforms, early voting during the 2022 midterm elections exceeded previous cycles, with participation reportedly tripling compared with 2018 and doubling relative to 2020. According to state election data cited by supporters of the reforms, Black voters also cast more than 100,000 additional early ballots than they had during the 2018 midterms.
The trend continued into this election cycle.
By that same logic, no married woman in America could fill out an I-9 form—which every American must do when starting a new job.
This is absurd.
And it highlights why we need to pass the SAVE America Act. https://t.co/1nRBClbwDH
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 13, 2026
According to WABE, Georgia set a new record for early voting during its primary elections, with roughly one million voters casting ballots before Election Day. The previous primary record, established in 2022, stood at approximately 857,000 early votes.
WABE also reported that Democratic turnout during the early voting period outpaced Republican participation compared with the 2022 primary, prompting discussion about shifting voter engagement in the state. The outlet noted that even Republican Gov. Brian Kemp had expressed concern about Democrats’ early voting advantage.
