In a bold Republican move that could rival their infamous proposals for a new reality show, they’re revving up the gears with a fresh election legislation extravaganza. This time, they’re focusing on a whimsical concept called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. Spoiler alert: it’s got a heavy dose of ‘prove you’re a citizen’ sprinkled all over it.

Election officials, those brave souls running the show on the ground, are sounding alarms like it’s a fire drill. State secretaries from both sides are shaking their heads at this new federal flex, expressing valid concerns that the vibe here seems a bit… off. Imagine being told to cough up documents to prove your citizenship just to cast a vote while the officials behind the paperwork are left scrambling to figure out who foots the bill for all this.

Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows broke down the real talk: “Sure, let’s ensure only citizens vote, but if you want proof, how about you build a solid platform…?” Good point! Because yes, a federal database to confirm citizenship is about as common as a unicorn sighting.

In another twist, not only is there a lack of funding but a hefty threat lurks behind this bill: civil or criminal penalties for those election officials who dare to register someone without proper documentation. Way to keep the pressure, GOP, because who doesn’t want to live in fear of getting jail time for making a paperwork mistake?

And let’s not even get started on the potential chaos this could bring. Married women, for example, might run into problems if their documents don’t match their new names, thanks to that little side hustle of changing identities upon tying the knot. Meanwhile, if you’re in a rural area where a trip to the election office means a six-hour drive and a day taken off work, best of luck proving your citizenship.

What’s fascinating here is that the GOP insists voting by non-citizens is a rampant issue, a theme echoed by former president Trump. However, many agree that documented cases are about as common as Sasquatch sightings.

The reality is that while a few states are already treading these waters, the results are mixed, with many finding that such requirements merely prevent eligible voters from registering. In a nutshell, this new bill feels like a hefty power grab cloaked in a benevolent facade of election integrity. Who knew we had to rearrange our democracy into a bureaucratic maze just to let people voice their choice?

As the Democrats prepare for a steadfast opposition in the Senate, it’s clear that this is only the beginning of a tug-of-war. All we can do is watch, and vote.