As the 2024 presidential election approaches, concerns surrounding election administration have seemingly diminished among Donald Trump and his supporters. Recent surveys indicate that a majority of Republican voters believe the election was conducted effectively.
However, a segment of the Republican Party continues to advocate for extensive election reforms that began after the controversial 2020 election. On January 3, coinciding with the swearing-in of the new Republican-led Congress, legislation was reintroduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in federal elections—a practice that is already illegal and statistically rare.
The proposed bill, known as the SAVE Act, seeks to impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. Critics argue that such measures could disenfranchise numerous eligible voters. This legislation was one of the first introduced in the 119th Congress, demonstrating that what proponents refer to as election integrity remains a significant focus for the GOP, even after Trump’s electoral victory.
“American elections belong to American citizens, and the public’s confidence in those elections is the cornerstone of our republic,” stated Roy regarding the SAVE Act.
While Trump’s high-turnout win might suggest a shift towards broader voter access among conservatives, the ongoing push for restrictive voting measures reflects a determination to maintain stringent voting policies.
Key among the architects of these restrictive policies is Cleta Mitchell, an attorney specializing in elections who has cultivated a nationwide grassroots election integrity network. This network largely consists of Trump supporters motivated by the false narratives surrounding the 2020 election and ongoing claims of widespread noncitizen voting.
Mitchell indicated during a recent panel that the focus for 2025 will be to educate state legislators and Congress on perceived voting issues, emphasizing the need to restore public confidence in elections.
Despite the message of the panel, many experts note that trust in election outcomes has generally remained stable this cycle. “Fear is a very effective tool to generate support for policy change,” pointed out Ron Hayduk, an expert on voting issues, highlighting the persistent dissemination of misleading narratives by some political factions.
In an email, Mitchell reinforced that election integrity encompasses more than just one election cycle. She stressed the importance of establishing electoral systems that foster public trust in all electoral outcomes.
Mitchell’s ambitious policy agenda for 2025 prioritizes ensuring that “only U.S. citizens participate in U.S. elections,” along with proposing significant changes such as the elimination of early voting and same-day voter registration.
While most Americans agree that only citizens should vote, proposals requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration could disproportionately affect eligible voters of color and registered Democrats compared to their Republican counterparts.
Additionally, during discussions at the ALEC panel, Mitchell expressed intent to challenge election officials who prioritize voter accessibility and registration initiatives, insisting that their role should strictly adhere to administering elections according to established laws.
Mitchell and her colleagues encourage lawmakers to dismiss legislation aimed at increasing protections for election workers, arguing that the perceived threat landscape has been exaggerated.
Though the SAVE Act may face challenges in achieving bipartisan support, restrictive policies could gain traction in Republican-led states. Local efforts to modernize voting laws appear to be ramping up in anticipation of the upcoming election cycle.
Historically, off-cycle years provide a strategic opportunity for lawmakers to implement new voting regulations. As tensions surrounding voting issues begin to ease, questions remain about the extent of Mitchell’s influence in the forthcoming legislative discussions regarding changes to the electoral process.
