Washington (EFE).- The United States Senate is scheduled to begin debating an electoral bill that President Donald Trump has considered his «number one priority,» seeking to change the way citizens vote in federal elections by requiring official documentation to go to the polls.
The «SAVE America» act requires proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote, and it would no longer be enough to check a box confirming citizenship, as previously done.
In addition, voters would need to provide an official photo ID, and the conditions for registering by mail or digitally would be tightened.
This amendment to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 aims to tighten the US electoral system by providing civil and criminal penalties for officials who register voters without the required documentation.
Democrats have harshly criticized the Republican proposal, arguing that the US electoral system works correctly and does not require any modifications.
They denounce what they see as a Republican political strategy to eliminate unfavorable voters ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, in which control of Congress is at stake.
Democrats have echoed warnings from election experts and human rights organizations that the SAVE America act would prevent millions of citizens without passports or birth certificates from voting.
The House of Representatives approved the bill on Feb. 11, but it needs the Senate’s approval to take effect. Republicans hold a narrow majority of 53 senators, and then the President of the United States must ratify it.
The debate beginning Tuesday in the Senate is expected to be lengthy with little prospect of progress, as it faces the obstacle of the filibuster. 60 votes are required to overcome any blockade, and the Democratic resistance is strong.
«Trump is learning day by day that the only way he’s going to win is stealing it, and we are not going to let him win,» said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
«This is about purging the voter rolls in a massive way, so you never even get the chance to show a voter ID when you showed up to vote because you’d be knocked off the rolls,» Schumer added.
Trump has repeatedly defended the law for weeks and never misses an opportunity to support the proposal, even considering it key to «national survival.»
«The SAVE America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of congress, and America itself. NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS!» said Trump before the debate began on Tuesday.
The head of state said he will not ratify any law from Congress until SAVE America act is approved.EFE
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