Congresswoman Lori warns SAVE Act would federalize elections, pledges mobilization to protect voting access

A Westford town‑hall attendee asked what Congresswoman Lori would do to protect elections; she said she opposes the SAVE Act and warned it would federalize elections and create privacy and access risks.

"Your Massachusetts license is not enough to vote in an election," Lori told the audience, arguing the SAVE Act would require a proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate or passport that many voters do not have. She characterized the bill as a federal overreach that could force states to submit personally identifiable voter data to the Department of Homeland Security.

Lori said Democrats are mobilizing attorneys and state partners to defend voting access and said the caucus is prepared to use legal tools, injunctions and coordinated state strategies to protect the franchise. She also tied election‑security concerns to other oversight efforts — for example, arguing that ICE agents should not be allowed into polling places and that Congress should press for guardrails on how federal agencies operate locally.

Why it matters: Changes to identification or data collection rules could affect voter registration processes and access, particularly for people who do not hold passports or birth certificates. The congresswoman urged public awareness of the bill's provisions and said her caucus would pursue both legislative and legal responses.

The town hall record shows the congresswoman has taken an explicit position against the SAVE Act and described legal and grassroots responses; the meeting included no formal congressional votes on the legislation.