Washington, D.C. — Student advocates from Generation Vote, Bulletproof Pride, the Task Force for Democracy, organized on Capitol Hill Friday, urging House members to reject the SAVE Act ahead of its vote.
The Act is one of the largest voter suppression attempts in recent history. Alongside eliminating online and by-mail voter registration options, it would immediately purge over 21 million voters—predominantly female, Black, young, naturalized, and working-class voters.
The House of Representatives voted 220-208 in favor of the SAVE Act, yet student leaders are resolved to keep fighting the voter suppression measure in the Senate.
“We’re proud students played a critical frontline role in defending voting rights today and are looking forward to students advocating on-the-ground against the SAVE Act in the Senate!” posted the Task Force for Democracy.
Watch youth voting rights leaders’ remarks after the House passes the SAVE Act. Read more comments from leaders here:
“The SAVE Act is yet another attempt to solidify this country in white supremacy,” said Bulletproof Pride’s Executive Director Scout Cardillo. “Disenfranchising transgender, youth, women, and marginalized communities is a story out of the same playbook we’ve seen for decades, and it’s a strategy that has not, and will never win.”
“Students have been on the frontlines of movements, and the fight for democracy is no different,” said Generation Vote @ D.C. Hub Coordinator Angel Liang. “We will continue to engage our communities to fight against harmful legislation like the SAVE Act.”
“If the SAVE Act passes, my right to vote will be revoked. As a woman of color and a student, I live with multiple targets on my back—despite the fact that I am a U.S. Citizen.” said Task Force Communications Director Shaazma Akbar. “Fairly recently, I legally changed a part of my name. By changing one letter, I would lose my voter registration status under the SAVE act. That single letter difference between my birth certificate and my state ID could soon cost me my right to vote.”
“Our generation’s fight to defeat the SAVE Act is the fight for free and fair elections in 2028” contributed Task Force Board President Kaden Ouimet. “We can’t hope to fight corporate greed or MAGA’s autocracy at the polls if our most vulnerable voters are subject to suppression.”
“Other countries around the world have seen voter registration numbers exceeding 90-percent, while the U.S continues to do anything in its power to suppress the voice of the American people,” said the Task Force’s Chief of Staff Sydney Snowden. “We are seeing politicians boasting about, and pushing for, low voter turnout which is absolutely shameful and we deserve better from our representatives. We will keep fighting.”
The groups have already begun advocacy and organizing against the SAVE Act in the senate to defend a democracy where all have the freedom to vote.
