Native Vote 2026
President Donald Trump used a primetime address Thursday evening to revisit claims about past U.S. elections while renewing his call for Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation the White House has made a top election priority.
The speech had been promoted as revealing new evidence of election interference by foreign governments and other actors. Instead, Trump largely repeated previously aired allegations and claims that have been widely scrutinized. During Trump’s first term, then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe—now serving as CIA director—reported that while foreign adversaries attempted to influence public opinion surrounding the 2020 election, no foreign actor successfully altered “any technical aspect” of the election’s administration or outcome.
Rather than presenting new evidence of election tampering, Trump focused much of his remarks on advocating for the SAVE Act. Supporters of the legislation argue it would strengthen election security by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Opponents say the proposal could create new barriers for eligible voters, including Native Americans, who may face challenges obtaining or presenting qualifying documents.
Native voting rights organizations oppose the SAVE Act.
“The SAVE Act (H.R. 22 / S. 128) and SAVE America Act (S. 1383) would force Native voters living in rural or remote areas to travel great distances to register to vote. They would require applicants who register to vote by mail to also provide documents in person before the voter registration deadline, eliminating the accessibility and purpose of a mail voter registration system, as well as voter registration drives using paper forms,” according to the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).
Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund was quick to criticize Trump’s speech.
“Everything sacred is on the ballot this November—from the health and wellbeing of our communities to the future of our ancestral lands,” LeBlanc said to Native News Online.
“President Trump is using false statements, confusion, and fear to keep Natives and other people of color from voting in the midterms. His unpopular policies on immigration, Iran, public lands, and the cost of living have left him and MAGA struggling to hold onto power. Organizing and educating our communities is critical to protecting our right to vote,” LeBlanc continued.
Native organizations have argued that requiring additional documentation to register could disproportionately affect Tribal citizens, particularly those living in rural or reservation communities where access to vital records and government offices may be limited.
Despite the administration’s support, the SAVE Act continues to face an uncertain path in Congress.
