More than 5 million voting-age Americans would have to drive an estimated hour or more to present their citizenship documents to register to vote, as would be required under the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

Why it matters: President Trump is pushing the SAVE Act as necessary to secure future elections, but it could complicate voting for many American citizens.

• The SAVE Act would require people to present documents in person to an "appropriate elections official" to register to vote — effectively killing online and mail-in registration.
• More than 21 million voting-age Americans lack the documents needed to register to vote under the SAVE Act, such as a birth certificate or passport, per an estimate from the Brennan Center for Justice, a liberal public policy nonprofit.

Zoom in: Arkansas doesn't have large swaths of the state where residents would have to drive for excessively long, but some rural residents will have to plan to travel farther than others.

What we found: The average American lives about 20 minutes by car from their nearest election office, per an Axios analysis. Those are county or municipal offices that manage voter registration and voting.

• That's without factoring in traffic.

For rural Americans in western states, that more than doubles to 49 minutes.

• At the extreme end in the continental U.S., Apache County, Arizona, residents have an average drive of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Yes, but: The SAVE Act doesn't define who counts as an "appropriate elections official."

• "Exactly what that means would have to be determined," says Eliza Sweren-Becker, deputy director for the voting rights and elections program at the Brennan Center.
• States may include other locations, such as motor vehicle departments or polling places.

For the record: "President Trump's SAVE America Act is commonsense legislation supported by the vast majority of Americans — including 90% who support voter ID — who want to ensure our elections are secure and that only American citizens vote in American elections," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement to Axios.

What's next: The SAVE Act is stuck in the Senate — but several Republican states, including Arkansas, are pushing similar measures covering their residents.

Read about the methodology

Fayetteville has a new Belgian-inspired restaurant, 1834 Tavern Lafayette.

🇧🇪 The vibe: If there's another spot in NWA with a similar aesthetic, I haven't found it. The business calls itself an "intimate old-world tavern," and you'll find deep green and purple hues, small tables smushed close together and decor with a flair for the ornate.

• It's a break from the industrial look or airy vibes you commonly find at restaurants and bars nowadays.

🗺️ Catch up quick: Belgian food is heavily influenced by other European cuisines, like French and German.

• You'll find hearty dishes with ribs, bratwurst and steak.

🦪 What to try: Start off with a Belgian classic, the 1834 Moules ($19) — mussels in a garlic and herb pinot grigio broth with sun-dried tomatoes, served with bread for soaking up that broth, plus a plate of fries.

• If mussels aren't your thing, you still must get an order of fries (or Tavern Frites). Fries are a staple in Belgian cuisine, and they have perfected them.
• I also started off with The Hunky Monk ($17) appetizer — one standard bratwurst and one cheddar bratwurst served with mustard. These were juicy without being overly fatty, and I'd feel confident ordering the Bratwurst Plate entree next time.

🥔 Zoom out: The Poulet à la Flamande ($33), chicken over carrots and pureed potatoes with a Dijon-brand cream sauce, had me thinking, "We get it, 1834 Tavern Lafayette — you're a potato specialist." But really, I was scraping the plate for every last bit of potatoes and cream sauce.

• Save room for dessert and try the Brewer's Chocolate Cake ($9). It's a dense German chocolate cake made with a dark ale, with a ganache and whipped cream. It's as rich as it sounds and good for sharing.

📍 Stop by: 5–9pm Tuesday through Saturday at 572 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fayetteville.

Share

🏥 Washington Regional Medical System president and CEO Larry Shackelford plans to retire May 31. Lucas Campbell, senior vice president of clinical enterprise and strategy, will take on the role. (Northwest Arkansas Business Journal)

📵 The Arkansas Highway Police in January began using artificial intelligence to find drivers illegally holding phones in work zones on Interstates 49 and 57. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

🛣️ The Arkansas State Highway Commission voted to rename the Bella Vista Bypass — the section of Interstate 49 from the U.S. Highway 71 interchange to the Missouri state line — to the Gov. Asa Hutchinson Freeway. (40/29)

We believe strong communities start with clear, reliable local news.

💡 Become an Axios Northwest Arkansas member today. You'll help power the reporting that keeps you informed on what matters most around your city.

Together, we can ensure our community stays informed.

🪏 Yes, it's time to clear out the garden and get to planting.

• According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, these 12 veggies are now eligible to go in the ground.
• If you're into cabbage, carrots or kale, the window is closing, per this comprehensive list.

🥗 The bottom line: Grocery prices rose at the fastest pace in three years during December, so it couldn't hurt to try your hand at growing a salad.

🌶️ Worth's thought bubble: Trout Fishing in America made my fave pico de gallo recipe.