Santa Cruz Supervisors oppose new SAVE Act voter registration proposal

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voiced their opposition to new federal efforts to change the country's voter registration rules.

The board unanimously voted to send a letter to Congress opposing two federal bills, including the SAVE Act, which proposes eliminating online and mail-in registration options.

The county worries this could disproportionately impact rural residents, people with disabilities, and others with limited access to transportation.

"It's just another effort to disenfranchise people, to take the voice away from people here in our community," Santa Cruz Distrct 5 supervisor Monica Martinez said.

The county says if the SAVE Act were to pass, many out-of-county and out-of-state UCSC students would face challenges if they do not have the necessary documents when registering to vote.

They make up roughly 85 percent of same-day voter registrations in the county.