“Mississippi. Florida. South Dakota. Utah. States are doing the job Congress won’t. Voters are noticing.”— Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of ETI
Mississippi, Florida, South Dakota, and Utah advance voter protections while Congress delays action on the SAVE Act
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, VA — April 21, 2026 — As Congress continues to delay action on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, states across the country are moving forward with meaningful election-integrity reforms to protect voter confidence and ensure that only eligible citizens participate in U.S. elections.
Recent action in Mississippi, Florida, South Dakota, and Utah underscores a growing national trend: states are stepping in to implement commonsense safeguards like proof of citizenship requirements and strengthened voter identification standards—measures widely supported by the American public.
These reforms reinforce a simple but essential principle: voting in American elections is reserved for American citizens. By advancing these policies, states are demonstrating that election integrity and voter access are not in conflict—they work together to strengthen trust in the system.
“States like Mississippi, Florida, South Dakota, and Utah are stepping up and doing the job Washington refuses to do,” said Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative and former Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. “They are proving that you can secure elections while protecting every eligible voter’s voice. Meanwhile, Congress continues to waste time while the next federal election approaches.”
Mississippi. Florida. South Dakota. Utah.
That’s what leadership looks like. Congress should take notes.
The inclusion of South Dakota is particularly notable, as it is the home state of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the person most critical to the passage of the Save Act—further underscoring the contrast between decisive action at the state level and continued delays in Washington.
Even beyond these states, momentum continues to build nationwide, signaling that election integrity is not a regional issue but a national priority being addressed where leadership is willing to act.
While critics continue to rely on familiar claims of voter suppression, these state-led efforts reflect what voters already understand: ensuring that only eligible citizens vote protects the value of every lawful vote.
Despite this progress, federal action remains stalled. The SAVE America Act—legislation that would establish nationwide proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration—has yet to receive the urgency it demands in the U.S. Senate.
“The clock is ticking,” Cuccinelli added. “The House has acted. States are acting. The Senate needs to stop delaying and pass the SAVE Act before it’s too late to have an impact on upcoming elections.”
The Election Transparency Initiative continues to work with lawmakers and coalition partners nationwide to advance practical reforms that strengthen election transparency, accountability, and public confidence.
Media Availability
Ken Cuccinelli is available for interviews to discuss state and federal-level election issues and the path forward for federal election standards.
Members of the media may submit interview requests at: https://electiontransparency.org/contact/
About the Election Transparency Initiative
ETI works nationwide to advance commonsense election reforms that protect the integrity of the vote and strengthen public trust in election outcomes through policies that enhance transparency, accountability, and confidence in American elections. Ken Cuccinelli serves as National Chairman of ETI. He previously served as Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as Attorney General of Virginia.
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