Canfield Backs SAVE Act, Calls for Free Voter ID, State-Led Timelines, and Secure, Accessible Absentee Voting

Brick, NJ — Republican congressional candidate Rob Canfield, a small-business owner and firearms instructor running in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, today reaffirmed his support for the SAVE Act, legislation requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, while outlining a practical, state-led framework to strengthen election integrity without limiting lawful access to the ballot.

“Only American citizens should vote in American elections. That principle should unite us,” Canfield said. “The SAVE Act moves us in the right direction, but real election integrity requires policies that are secure, fair, and workable in the real world.”

Canfield acknowledged that longtime incumbent Chris Smith supported the legislation, but emphasized that voters deserve more than symbolic votes without clear implementation standards.

“Washington has spent too long arguing about election integrity instead of building systems people can actually trust,” Canfield said. “We need solutions that protect the vote and respect the voter.”

Free Voter ID with State-Led Implementation

As part of his election-integrity platform, Canfield called for free, state- or federally issued photo voter ID cards, provided at no cost to the voter, with states retaining control over implementation timelines, administrative procedures, and distribution methods.

“No American should be charged to exercise a constitutional right,” Canfield said. “If photo ID is required to vote, it must be free — and states should have the flexibility to roll it out responsibly, without disruption or confusion.”

Canfield also proposed mobile voter ID services for elderly, disabled, or homebound voters who cannot travel due to health or mobility limitations.

“If a voter cannot get to the state, the state should go to the voter,” Canfield said.

Secure, Accessible Absentee and Homebound Voting

Recognizing the need to protect vulnerable voters while maintaining ballot integrity, Canfield outlined additional safeguards for absentee and homebound voting.

Under his proposal:

• Absentee or homebound ballots would require notarization, verifying the identity of the voter

• Notarization services would be provided free of charge to the voter, either through state-designated notaries, mobile services, or approved community partners

• Ballots would be returned with either a copy of the voter’s photo ID or a sworn affidavit containing the voter ID number and identifying information

• States would retain authority to set reasonable timelines and procedures to ensure voters are not burdened or disenfranchised

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“These safeguards verify that the ballot was completed by the voter who claims it,” Canfield said. “They protect seniors and homebound voters from fraud, coercion, or abuse — and they protect the integrity of the election itself.”

Integrity and Access Are Not Opposites

Canfield emphasized that election security and voter access are complementary, not conflicting goals.

“Integrity isn’t suppression,” he said. “When elections are secure, every legal vote carries more weight. A system people trust is a system people participate in.”

Canfield framed election integrity as part of his broader reform agenda focused on constitutional rights, affordability, and accountability.

“This campaign is about guns, debt, prices, and kids,” Canfield said. “Protecting rights, ending rigged systems, lowering costs for families, and making sure the country we pass on to our kids still belongs to its citizens.”

Rob Canfield is a Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District. He is a small-business owner, firearms instructor, and lifelong New Jersey resident.