Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced she would oppose the effort to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and valid identification to cast a ballot.
“When Democrats attempted to advance sweeping election reform legislation in 2021, Republicans were unanimous in opposition because it would have federalized elections, something we have long opposed. Now, I’m seeing proposals such as the SAVE Act and MEGA that would effectively do just that. Once again, I do not support these efforts. Not only does the U.S. Constitution clearly provide states the authority to regulate the ‘times, places, and manner’ of holding federal elections, but one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, D.C., seldom work in places like Alaska,” Murkowski said.
“Election Day is fast approaching. Imposing new federal requirements now, when states are deep into their preparations, would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies likely without the necessary resources. Ensuring public trust in our elections is at the core of our democracy, but federal overreach is not how we achieve this,” she continued.
When Democrats attempted to advance sweeping election reform legislation in 2021, Republicans were unanimous in opposition because it would have federalized elections, something we have long opposed. Now, I’m seeing proposals such as the SAVE Act and MEGA that would effectively…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) February 10, 2026
Fox News has more:
Congressional Democrats under former President Joe Biden tried and failed to enact two election reform bills, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act.
Congressional Republicans strongly opposed those efforts, and argued at the time that the bills would effectively nationalize elections and give Democrats control of the election system across the country.
ADVERTISEMENTConservatives’ bid to reshape the election landscape also runs into the Constitution, which delegates election authorities to state and local officials and gives the federal government little input.
Murkowski is the first Republican senator to reject passing the measure.
NEW – Lisa Murkowski becomes the first Republican senator to reject passing the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote nationwide — NBC pic.twitter.com/5cNcxqa4k6
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 10, 2026
In contrast, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke ranks as a Democrat senator to support the legislation.
NBC News shared further:
Under current law, all U.S. voters must attest under oath that they are citizens, with criminal penalties for lying. Beyond that, states can set their own rules.
The SAVE Act would bar states from registering a person to vote unless they provide documents or evidence proving U.S. citizenship. It would also require all Americans to present ID when they go to vote.
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has 48 GOP cosponsors and Trump has repeatedly called on Congress to pass it in recent days. Even if it gains a majority of the chamber, it is subject to the 60-vote threshold, and Democrats have vowed to block it.
While Trump and other SAVE Act backers say it’s designed to protect election integrity, Murkowski said it’d do the opposite.
What’s your verdict?
