Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm League of Women Voters members celebrate International Women’s Day Saturday with a rally. LWV President Ruth Ann Webster with sign at right, said the local organization asks Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm to vote “no” on the SAVE Act. The organization calls the SAVE Act unnecessary because every state requires persons registering to vote to verify or affirm their status as citizens. Staff photo by Fritz Busch About two dozen New Ulm League of Women Voters members prepare to walk with signs, celebrating International Women’s Day, which uplifts the economic, cultural, social and political achievements of women around the globe.

NEW ULM — A bill introduced in Congress that would require nationwide voters to submit proof of citizenship before participating in federal elections has the drawn ire of the League of Women Voters of New Ulm.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act comes as President Donald Trump and other Republicans prioritize stricter immigration laws and enforcement. Non-citizens who try to vote risk fines, prison time, deportation and impeding their naturalization process.

“It’s International Women’s Day. We’re gathered here today to urge our elected representatives to vote against the SAVE Act. It’s intended purpose is to keep non-citizens from voting,” said New Ulm LWV President Ruth Ann Webster.

“It would require a person to register to vote or re-register to vote if you move, to appear in person at the election office with an original document like a birth certificate, passport, or valid U.S. military ID and military record showing their were born in the U.S., or state ID card and a naturalization certificate that has the same name you have,” she said.

Webster said the SAVE Act is not necessary because every state has laws or procedures in place to keep non-citizens from voting.

“This bill throws up barriers on voting, especially women. This is the thing — 115 years ago, my grandma Minnie Peterson and her sister Alice were at the University of Minnesota fighting for women to vote. Here we stand still fighting for women to vote. We’re outraged here. It’s ridiculous,” she said.

Webster said voter registration under the SAVE Act may require an original birth certificate in the name of the person registering, which is not common for most women that changed their surname when they were married and do not possess a birth certificate that matches their current legal name.

Pat Booker of New Ulm, who said she served in the U.S. Army for four years before being honorably discharged, said her background was very thoroughly investigated before she got a military ID card.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. I served in the military. Don’t tell me my military ID isn’t enough to be acceptable. If the SAVE Act is passed, I have to show my military (home of) record. It’s incredibly insulting,” said Booker.

“What’s so disturbing is that this is a distraction so we can’t spend our time lobbying Congress to set aside things like tariffs that will ruin our farm economy, veterans getting cancer from toxins and addressing other real issues,” said Webster.

Congressman Finstad said he thinks the SAVE Act makes sense.

“I think it is complete common sense legislation. I think most Southern Minnesota people agree that common safeguards should be in place for federal elections,” he said.

Finstad said many states recently passed new voter registration laws.

“To protect election integrity, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for proof of citizenship to vote,” he said.

Finstad said the SAVE Act passed the U.S. House twice but got hung up in the Senate.

“I assume we’ll vote on it again. We’ll see what the appetite is for it this year. Will it pass the Senate? It’s hard to say,” he said.