Noem backs proof-of-citizenship voting bill in Phoenix

Driving the news: Noem, flanked by posters advertising the SAVE America Act, said election reforms are "absolutely critical to our country's future."

• She repeatedly claimed that American citizens have been disenfranchised because undocumented people are voting.

Reality check: Noncitizen voting is both illegal and rare.

The intrigue: The Department of Homeland Security historically has not had a role in elections.

• Yes, but: Noem said her department has the authority to point out "vulnerabilities" in election systems and enact "mitigation measures" to ensure state and local elections are run correctly.

Flashback: Maricopa County became a hotbed for unsubstantiated claims of election fraud after Trump lost Arizona by about 10,000 votes in 2020.

• "I hope that you do recognize that in the past your state has been an absolute disaster on elections," Noem said. "There's no state that could use more improvement than Arizona."

Between the lines: Noem was joined by Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap.

• MAGA-aligned Heap is feuding with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, made up mostly of moderate Republicans, over who should oversee county elections.

Zoom out: The SAVE America Act, which passed in the U.S. House this week, would require proof of citizenship to vote, and could potentially prevent millions of people from casting their ballots.

• Noem discounted concerns about voter impacts as "baseless speculation from the radical left."