By Ja’Bree Harris, MSW
Democracy is not self-sustaining. It survives only when those of us committed to justice, equity, and human dignity fight to protect it. As social workers, we are not just service providers, we are advocates, organizers, and protectors of civil rights. That’s why the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) firmly opposes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R.22/S.128). It’s a dangerous piece of legislation that would create new barriers to voter registration and disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans.
SAVE ACT would make it harder for U.S. citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Let’s be clear: noncitizen voting is already illegal, and there is no widespread evidence that it happens. Yet, this bill, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), is built on the false premise that undocumented immigrants are voting in federal elections. This is the same baseless claim that was pushed after the 2016 election — a claim that multiple studies and investigations have repeatedly debunked.
What this bill actually does is make it harder for U.S. citizens — particularly people of color, young voters, and low-income individuals — to exercise their constitutional right to vote. It requires documentary proof of citizenship to register, which over 21 million eligible voters do not have readily available. If passed, the SAVE Act would effectively eliminate mail-in voter registration, burdening those without easy access to government offices and disproportionately impacting the very communities that social workers serve every day.
NASW has always fought against voter suppression because social justice and voting rights are inseparable. Throughout history, our profession has stood alongside civil rights leaders to dismantle barriers to the ballot box:
- In the 1960s, social workers were on the frontlines of the fight against Jim Crow laws that blocked Black Americans from voting.
- In 1993, NASW championed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) — a landmark law that expanded voter registration opportunities, particularly through public agencies.
- In 2013, we opposed the gutting of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, a Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates for voter suppression laws.
- In 2021, NASW supported the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act, both aimed at strengthening democracy and combating restrictive voting laws.
Now, we face yet another assault on voting rights. The SAVE Act is not just an attack on individual voters — it is an attack on democracy itself. The SAVE Act is harmful to our democracy and a threat to the freedom to vote for all Americans.
Our democracy is at risk, and social workers have a duty to step up and protect it. We are uniquely positioned to mobilize, educate, and advocate for policies that uphold justice. The SAVE Act must be defeated, and every social worker has a role to play in making that happen.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call Your Representatives – Inform them that social workers strongly oppose the SAVE Act. You can find your elected officials here.- Educate Your Clients and Communities – Many people don’t know how this bill could impact their right to vote. Host discussions, share resources, and empower others to speak out.
- Join NASW’s Advocacy Efforts – Stay engaged with our policy updates and action alerts. We need social workers calling, writing, and meeting with lawmakers to fight back.
- Use Your Platforms – Write op-eds, speak at community meetings, and post on social media using hashtags like #ProtectTheVote #SocialWorkersForDemocracy #NASW.
- Register and Mobilize Voters – If we want better policies, we need better policymakers. Get involved in voter registration drives, especially in communities most impacted by suppression tactics.
Social workers have always been at the heart of social change, and we are needed now more than ever. We cannot sit on the sidelines while politicians manipulate our democracy for political gain. The SAVE Act is a threat to everything we stand for — and if we don’t stop it, we risk losing decades of progress in the fight for voting rights.
Democracy will not protect itself. Social workers will be the ones to save it — but only if we rise to the challenge with action, integrity, and unwavering commitment.
Ja’Bree Harris, MSW is NASW’s Public Policy and Advocacy Manager.
