TREY TRAINOR: The SAVE Act Must Be Passed And Enforced

In a time when confidence in our democratic institutions teeters on the edge, one principle must remain sacred: the sanctity of our elections. Our Republic is only as strong as the faith our citizens place in the ballot box. That’s why the passage of the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) is not only timely—it is essential.

The SAVE Act draws directly from the foundation laid by President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” That order highlighted what every American knows instinctively: fair and secure elections are the bedrock of our constitutional republic. President Trump made it clear that foreign interference, voter fraud, and systemic vulnerabilities are not just possibilities—they are threats we must meet with resolve and action. (RELATED: Stephen Miller Says Democrats Just Dropped ‘One Of The Dumbest Talking Points’ Yet Against SAVE Act) 

H.R. 22 codifies into law many of the critical protections championed in that executive order. From requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections, to enhancing voter roll maintenance and mandating transparent election audits, the SAVE Act is a clear response to the growing concerns of voters across the political spectrum. It closes loopholes and modernizes our electoral systems to meet today’s challenges with strength and clarity.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act with bipartisan support. That vote sent a clear and resounding message to the American people: election integrity is not a partisan issue—it is a national imperative. Now, the responsibility lies squarely with the United States Senate. The time for debate is over. The Senate must act swiftly, pass the SAVE Act, and send it to President Trump’s desk so he can sign it into law.

But passing legislation is only half the battle.

To truly safeguard the integrity of our elections, the SAVE Act must be implemented rigorously at the state level. This isn’t merely a matter of policy—it’s a matter of national security. Every Secretary of State and every election official across the country must treat the integrity of the ballot as the solemn responsibility it is. More importantly, state attorneys general must rise to the occasion and enforce this law with unwavering commitment.

The role of a state attorney general should go beyond consumer protections and civil enforcement. In this era, a top-priority mission must be the preservation of free and fair elections. Attorneys general must be fearless guardians of our electoral process—investigating fraud, holding bad actors accountable, and defending laws like the SAVE Act in court if necessary. Anything less is an abdication of their duty to the Constitution and to the people they serve.

Inaction is not neutrality—it is complicity. And when it comes to our elections, the cost of complacency is nothing less than the erosion of the public trust and the weakening of the very pillars of our Republic.

The SAVE Act offers a rare and critical opportunity to restore that trust. It deserves bipartisan support, full implementation, and vigilant enforcement. The American people are watching. They are demanding transparency, security, and fairness. We owe it to them—and to every generation that will inherit this great nation—to deliver nothing less.

Let’s meet this moment with clarity and courage.

Let’s protect the vote.

Let’s protect America.

Trey Trainor currently serves as Chairman of the Federal Election Commission; he was nominated as a Commissioner by President Donald J. Trump and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2020.  He is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Legislative and Campaign Law and has practiced election law for over two decades.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.