In a move that has stirred political waters, Senator Susan Collins has thrown her support behind the controversial SAVE Act, a bill that could reshape voting requirements nationwide. This decision comes despite Maine voters previously rejecting similar measures aimed at tightening voting regulations.
Collins communicated her backing for the SAVE Act in a recent fundraising email. The proposed legislation mandates photo identification for all voters at the polls and seeks to significantly limit mail-in voting options. Additionally, it requires new voters to provide citizenship proof using documents like a passport or military ID.
The email quotes Collins stating, “I announced that 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.”
Former President Donald Trump has championed this bill, using similar rhetoric when addressing House Republicans during a policy summit. “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,” Trump asserted.
However, a review by the Department of Homeland Security challenges these claims, indicating that noncitizen voting is extremely rare and does not influence election outcomes. It remains illegal for noncitizens to engage in voting activities.
The House passed the SAVE Act on February 11, largely along partisan lines. Its future in the Senate is uncertain, as it requires a 60-vote majority unless Republicans decide to override the filibuster, a strategy being evaluated.
Advocates for voting rights express concern that the SAVE Act could obstruct voting access for over 21 million Americans. Particular attention is on married women who have changed their names, who may face challenges due to discrepancies in their identification documents, as highlighted in a report.
Governor Janet Mills of Maine, a Democratic contender in the upcoming elections, has criticized Collins for her stance. “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 stated 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.”
Another Democratic challenger, Graham Platner, also voiced disapproval. “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,” Platner explained in a Facebook video.
Senator Collins, facing reelection in 2026, represents the only Senate Republican candidate in a state Trump did not carry in the 2024 election.
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