‘Zero validity’: Leavitt dismisses claims SAVE America Act blocks married women from voting

Hillary Scholten warned the SAVE America Act could block many married women from voting if their birth certificates do not match their current names
PUBLISHED MAR 11, 2026
Karoline Leavitt said the SAVE America Act does not stop Americans from voting and accused Democrats of wanting to allow illegal aliens to vote (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Karoline Leavitt said the SAVE America Act does not stop Americans from voting and accused Democrats of wanting to allow illegal aliens to vote (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)


WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt has claimed that “there is zero validity” to the claims that the SAVE America Act would prevent married women from voting in American elections.

The White House press secretary made the clarification during the Tuesday, March 10, White House press briefing, where she also accused Democrats of wanting to “allow illegal aliens to vote”.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Karoline Leavitt says SAVE Act won't affect married voters

“Let me be very clear: The SAVE America Act does not prohibit anyone from voting, with the exception of illegal aliens,” Leavitt said. She further noted that the “greatest way to disenfranchise American citizens from voting in American elections is to allow illegal aliens to vote, which is what Democrats want to do.”

“We see it taking place in Democrat jurisdictions at the state and local level across this country,” the 28-year-old added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Leavitt also explained during the briefing that married women who changed their last names would not have to worry about voting if they are already registered to vote.

She stated, “They are entirely unaffected. And for the small fraction who have changed their name or their address, they can still register to vote, of course. They just have to go through their state processes to update that document.”

Democrats claim SAVE America Act threatens voting rights



The political spokesperson’s remarks came after Democratic lawmakers argued that the SAVE America Act would prohibit some groups, like married women, especially those who changed their last names, from voting. 

The issue arises from the fact that the bill makes proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, mandatory.

One such Democrat to raise the point was Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, who said last month, “Nearly 70 million married women in this country have changed their last name, but their birth certificates don't reflect that.”

“In Michigan’s 3rd District alone, 160,000 women could find themselves unable to register simply because when they got married, they did not change both their ID and their birth certificate, 160,000 women in my district alone,” she added.

Dick Durbin says SAVE America Act threatens voting rights

Besides, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, alleged that “amidst a war in the Middle East and DHS funding negotiations, the President of the United States now insists that the SAVE America Act should be our number one priority, our only priority. He made it clear.”

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) speaks during a hearing on
Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) speaks during a hearing on 'Arctic Frost Accountability: Oversight of Telecommunications Carriers' Responses to Jack Smith's Witch Hunt' in the Hart Senate Office Building on February 10, 2026 in Washington, DC (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Besides, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, alleged that “amidst a war in the Middle East and DHS funding negotiations, the President of the United States now insists that the SAVE America Act should be our number one priority, our only priority. He made it clear.”

He stated, “Don’t let the name of this bill fool you. The SAVE America Act would not protect our elections. Instead, it would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote.” 

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