Gluesenkamp Perez Statement on SAVE Act Vote

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) released the following statement regarding her vote to pass the SAVE Act:

“I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections – and that’s common sense to folks in Southwest Washington. Voting in our nation’s elections is a sacred right belonging only to American citizens, and my vote for the SAVE Act reflects that principle.

I also understand the SAVE Act stands no chance of passage in the Senate due to the filibuster, as well as several deeply flawed provisions. Democracy depends on confidence in our elections, so I encourage House Leadership to instead consider bipartisan legislation that can pass both chambers of Congress – such as my Let America Vote Act, which reaffirms that decisions made for our country are made by citizens of our country, without placing bureaucratic hassles on U.S. citizens or hardworking election workers.

I am also deeply concerned about a provision in a recent Executive Order that would invalidate ballots postmarked by Election Day if not received by Election Day. This provision conflicts with our state’s longstanding, secure vote-by-mail system and could undermine the votes of more than 250,000 Washington citizens whose ballots were legally counted after Election Day in the last election.

I’m confident Washington state’s vote-by-mail system is safe, secure, and reliable and will remain so, thanks to the dedicated local public servants who administer our elections.”