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In a significant shift from Maine voters’ 2023 decision, Senator Susan Collins has announced her support for the controversial SAVE Act, a federal bill that would mandate photo identification at polling stations nationwide.
Last year, Maine residents decisively rejected a referendum that would have required photo ID for voting. Despite this clear local sentiment, Collins declared her backing for the Trump-endorsed legislation in a recent fundraising email, stating, “I will vote for the SAVE America Act because the law and the Constitution are clear: Citizens of other countries should not be voting in American elections.”
The SAVE Act would implement sweeping changes to voting procedures across the country. Beyond requiring photo identification at polls, the legislation would significantly restrict mail-in voting options and mandate proof of citizenship—such as passports, birth certificates, or military IDs—during voter registration.
The bill passed the House of Representatives on February 11, largely along party lines with Republican support. However, its path through the Senate appears challenging, as it would need to reach the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster. Reports suggest Republicans may consider suspending the filibuster rule to advance the legislation, a move where Collins could potentially cast the deciding vote.
Former President Donald Trump has been a vocal proponent of the bill, telling House Republicans during a policy summit last month, “Our elections are crooked as hell, and you can win—not only win elections over that and not only win future elections—but you’ll win every debate because the public is really angry about it.”
These claims stand in stark contrast to findings from the Department of Homeland Security, which determined that instances of noncitizens voting are virtually nonexistent and have no meaningful impact on election outcomes. Current federal law already prohibits noncitizens from registering to vote or participating in most elections.
Voting rights advocates have raised significant concerns about the legislation’s potential impact. According to experts, the SAVE Act could jeopardize ballot access for more than 21 million Americans. Women who have changed their names after marriage may face particular challenges due to discrepancies between their identifying documents, potentially preventing them from casting ballots.
Maine Governor Janet Mills, who is challenging Collins in the upcoming election, sharply criticized the senator’s position. “The right to vote is the foundation of American democracy, and Maine is proud to have one of the highest voter participation rates in the nation,” Mills said on February 14. “But Susan Collins is once again appeasing Republican leadership and caving to pressure by backing a dangerous Trump-backed voter suppression bill that will disenfranchise voters across Maine and America.”
Fellow Democratic challenger Graham Platner echoed these concerns in a video statement, highlighting practical implications for everyday voters: “Under this terrible bill, if you get married and change your name—or if you can’t find your passport—you could be turned away from the polls.”
Collins’ support for the legislation places her in a politically precarious position. She is currently the only Senate Republican seeking reelection in 2026 in a state that did not support Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Her endorsement of the SAVE Act represents a notable departure from the expressed preferences of her constituents, who rejected similar measures at the state level.
As the debate continues, the fate of the SAVE Act in the Senate remains uncertain, though Collins’ backing suggests growing Republican momentum behind the controversial voting measures despite significant concerns about their potential to restrict legitimate voter access.
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8 Comments
Voting rights and election integrity are critical issues, but the SAVE Act raises red flags. I hope our representatives can find a balanced approach that protects the democratic process without unduly limiting voter access.
Agreed. Maintaining public trust in elections is vital, but this bill seems overly restrictive. I’d like to see a more nuanced solution that addresses legitimate concerns without risking voter suppression.
Senator Collins’ support for this federal bill is surprising given Maine voters’ recent rejection of a similar referendum. I wonder if this is an attempt to align with national Republican priorities rather than reflect local sentiment.
While the goals of the SAVE Act may have merit, the proposed measures seem to go too far. Voter ID, restrictions on mail-in voting, and proof of citizenship requirements could create unnecessary barriers to the democratic process.
The SAVE Act’s path through the Senate appears challenging, which is good given the potential for disenfranchising voters. Reasonable election security measures are important, but this legislation seems to go too far.
Senator Collins’ support for the SAVE Act is concerning given Maine voters’ recent rejection of similar ID requirements. I hope our elected officials can work together to strengthen election security without disenfranchising legitimate voters.
The SAVE Act’s path through the Senate will be interesting to watch. Given the potential for disenfranchising voters, I hope our representatives can find a balanced approach that upholds election integrity without unduly limiting access to the polls.
This proposed SAVE Act seems like a heavy-handed approach to address election integrity concerns. While voter ID requirements have been debated, restricting mail-in voting and proof of citizenship raises questions about access and fairness.