WASHINGTON — Senator Susan Collins of Maine has become the 50th Senate supporter of the SAVE America Act, a sweeping bill championed by former President Donald Trump that voting rights advocates warn will significantly restrict access to the ballot box. Her decision, confirmed Tuesday, February 24, 2026, effectively guarantees the bill will reach the Senate floor, where Vice President JD Vance is positioned to break a potential tie and secure its passage. The move has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Democrats and voting rights groups, who accuse Collins of abandoning her long-held image as a moderate and aligning herself with efforts to undermine democratic processes.
The SAVE America Act, details of which remain largely undefined in public statements beyond its stated goal of election integrity, is widely viewed as a voter suppression measure. Opponents fear it will introduce new hurdles for voters, particularly those in marginalized communities, through stricter ID requirements, limitations on early voting, and potential purges of voter rolls. The bill’s advancement to a Senate vote represents a major victory for Trump, who has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud since his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. The stakes are high as the 2026 midterm elections approach, and the potential impact on voter access is substantial.
A Shift in Position and a History of Votes
Collins’ support for the SAVE America Act marks a significant departure from her previous stances on voting rights legislation. During the Biden administration, she opposed both the For the People Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, Democratic-led efforts to expand voting access nationwide. She also voted against the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill aimed at restoring key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. When questioned about her opposition to strengthening the Voting Rights Act, Collins reportedly cited the bill’s length – 700 pages – as a reason for her vote, a justification critics have dismissed as disingenuous, noting she also opposed a shorter version of the same bill in 2014.
Critics point to Collins’ voting record as evidence that her “moderate” label is misleading. According to a recent scorecard, she has voted with Donald Trump 96% of the time, a rate comparable to that of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and slightly higher than that of Senator Rand Paul. This consistency raises questions about her independence and her commitment to protecting voting rights, particularly given her history of opposing measures designed to expand access to the ballot box.
Contradictions and States’ Rights Arguments
The irony of Collins’ position has not been lost on observers. While she has frequently invoked states’ rights as a reason to oppose federal voting legislation, the SAVE America Act itself would impose uniform standards on states, effectively overriding existing state laws. In 2021, Collins expressed concern that federal voting laws would interfere with states that have “been successfully conducting elections for a remarkably long time.” Yet, the SAVE America Act would require all states to alter their election procedures, regardless of their track record.
This contradiction is particularly stark in Maine, where Democratic Governor Janet Mills has overseen expansions of voting access, including allowing students to use their college IDs when registering to vote. The SAVE America Act, however, would ban the use of college IDs, potentially disenfranchising young voters in Maine and across the country. Collins previously stated her support for disclosing “dark money” in campaigns, but in 2010, she voted against the DISCLOSE Act, which would have required greater transparency in campaign finance.
The King Critique and a Pattern of Opposition
The debate surrounding Collins’ vote has also drawn comparisons to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” where he expressed disappointment with “white moderates” whose “shallow understanding” was more frustrating than outright opposition. This sentiment resonates with critics who argue that Collins’ willingness to compromise on voting rights has consistently enabled restrictive policies. As one observer noted, Collins “always has an excuse to vote against free and fair elections,” consistently aligning herself with her party’s efforts to restrict voting access.
While Collins has supported some bipartisan election reforms, such as the 2022 reform of the Electoral Count Act, these measures were widely popular and passed with significant bipartisan support. Her support for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006 is also cited, but that vote occurred when the bill enjoyed near-unanimous support and did not require her to break with her party.
Looking Ahead: The Senate Vote and Maine’s Election
With Collins’ support, the SAVE America Act is poised for a vote on the Senate floor. Vice President JD Vance is expected to cast the tie-breaking vote if necessary, ensuring the bill’s passage. The bill will then move to the House of Representatives, where its fate remains uncertain. The outcome of the Senate vote will have significant implications for the future of voting rights in the United States, potentially making it more difficult for millions of Americans to exercise their right to vote.
Meanwhile, Collins faces a challenging reelection campaign in Maine, where Democratic Governor Janet Mills is running against her. The issue of voting rights is expected to be a central theme of the race, and Maine voters will have an opportunity to hold Collins accountable for her decision to support the SAVE America Act. The election will serve as a crucial test of whether voters will reward or punish Collins for her shift on this critical issue.
The Senate is expected to debate the SAVE America Act in early March 2026. Further updates on the bill’s progress can be found on the websites of the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
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