Boyd Condemns Tuberville’s Support of SAVE Act, Calls It ‘Modern Voter Suppression’

Montgomery, AL (BuzzReport) — A sharp political clash is emerging in Alabama over voting rights, as gubernatorial candidate Dr. Will Boyd issued a forceful statement condemning U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville for backing the SAVE Act, legislation Boyd argues would significantly restrict access to the ballot.

In his statement, Boyd accused Tuberville of prioritizing political strategy over democratic principles, citing remarks made by the senator in a recent social media video suggesting that “adjustments” to voting procedures are necessary ahead of future elections. Boyd said those “adjustments” amount to voter suppression that disproportionately harms vulnerable populations.

Boyd described the SAVE Act as a modern version of Jim Crow–era barriers, warning that its provisions would affect not only Black voters, but also seniors, low-income residents, students, and people with disabilities. He pointed specifically to stricter photo identification requirements and new documentation rules that could make registering to vote more difficult, particularly for those who lack easy access to passports or birth certificates.

According to Boyd, the legislation would also roll back or eliminate tools that have expanded voter participation in recent years, including voter registration drives, online registration, and automatic voter registration. He argued that proposed requirements forcing voters to appear in person with citizenship documents could discourage participation and silence eligible voters.

Invoking Alabama’s civil rights history, Boyd said the measure stands in stark contrast to the sacrifices made during the struggle for voting rights. He referenced the marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the legacy of figures such as the late John Lewis, as well as Viola Liuzzo, who lost her life while supporting the movement in Alabama.

“This would take Alabama and the nation backward more than 60 years,” Boyd said, calling the legislation an affront to the progress achieved through the civil rights movement.

Boyd said Tuberville’s support for the bill reflects an effort to make voting harder for those with the least political power. As a Democratic candidate for governor, Boyd pledged to make voting rights a central issue of his campaign, vowing to protect access to the ballot for all Alabamians regardless of party affiliation or background.

The dispute underscores a broader national debate over election laws and voter access, with Alabama once again at the center of a conversation that echoes its past while shaping its political future.

Boyd is running in the Democratic primary for Governor of Alabama. The primary will be held on May 19.