Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has reaffirmed her position against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, an important election integrity initiative that mandates voter ID enforcement.
Murkowski addressed inquiries regarding her feelings on the potential passage of this legislation and the Senate’s filibuster practices. Currently, bills can be stalled if they do not achieve the 60 votes needed to end debate, often referred to as the “zombie filibuster.”
Calls for a Talking Filibuster
A sizable group of Senate Republicans has urged Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to switch to a “talking filibuster,” where senators opposing a bill must engage in physical debate. This could allow passage with just a simple majority of 51 votes.
<pIn a recent exchange on Lindell TV, Murkowski made her opposition clear. When asked about her support for the SAVE Act, she responded, “Not as it is drafted, no.”
Murkowski elaborated on her concerns, stating that the bill would “disenfranchise” a significant number of Alaskans. “The implementation in a rural state like Alaska is gonna disenfranchise an extraordinary majority. While I support citizenship voting and voting ID, I want to ensure it’s feasible,” she noted.
🚨 BREAKING: Sen. Lisa Murkowski just came out AGAINST the SAVE America Act
She represents ALASKA, won by Donald Trump by 13 POINTS. Infuriating.
“It’s gonna disenfranchise an extraordinary majority, and while I support citizenship voting and voting ID, I want it… pic.twitter.com/pjnPBiMN7U
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 11, 2026
The senator has previously indicated that her refusal to back the proposal stems from issues related to states’ rights.
Historical Context and Concerns
Murkowski recalled Republican unity against sweeping election reform attempted by Democrats in 2021, emphasizing the party’s long-standing opposition to federal control of elections. This was in relation to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a measure aimed at expanding voter access but which many Republicans criticized as federal overreach.
The SAVE ACT aims to ensure that voters can only register with proof of U.S. citizenship, like a passport or birth certificate. It seeks to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and requires states to validate citizenship in person. Furthermore, it prohibits voter registration without proper documentation.
It also mandates that states create alternative methods for those without standard paperwork and enhances efforts to maintain accurate voter lists by removing noncitizens.
Should the SAVE Act become law, it would unify citizenship verification processes across states for federal elections, curbing noncitizen voting. States would be expected to alter their registration systems without federal assistance post-enactment, possibly necessitating changes to various registration methods.
While Thune previously supported the idea of a talking filibuster, he has since retreated from that stance, claiming he lacks sufficient support. He also mentioned that “paid influencers” are urging lawmakers to back the bill, even though it’s a significant legislative goal for President Trump.
