Letter to the Editor - February 11, 2026

How prevalent is voter fraud?

According to extensive research done by the Brennan Center for Justice, “extensive research reveals that fraud is rare, voter impersonation is virtually non-existent and many instances of alleged fraud are, in fact, mistakes by voters or administrators.”

This is true for in-person and mail-in voting.

Numerous other studies, including one commissioned by the Trump administration, have reached the same conclusion.(Brennan Center for Justice-an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization at NYU Law.)

And yet, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE Act) is under consideration in Congress. I encourage everyone to study this proposed bill at Congress.org. In a nut shell, it could prevent Americans from participating in the democratic process by presenting documentation barriers, eliminating mail registration, disrupting online registration, promoting voter purges, imprisoning election workers, and installing discriminatory photo ID requirements. (Campaign Legal Center- a nonpartisan legal organization that advances democracy through law at the federal, state and local level.)

It is estimated that more than 21 million Americans would be unable to access the additional documents that would be required to register to vote under the SAVE Act. People of color, married people who have changed their names, as well as young and elderly people are more likely to have difficulty in accessing these documents.

For example, married people who have changed their name do not necessarily have a birth certificate with their current legal name on it. (CLC) This is also a major issue with the Native American reservation populations of South Dakota and others states where many older Native Americans may lack the required documentation to secure their voting registration.

With the very low voter fraud rate, one wonders why the SAVE Act is under consideration. When the voter fraud rate is a miniscule risk, is it necessary to legislate greater voter restrictions?

Please study and decide for yourself.

Joanie Holm,
Brookings