The House of Representatives is set to cast its votes on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act this morning.
This bill, backed primarily by Republican lawmakers advocating for transparent elections, aims to require documentary proof of citizenship for individuals wishing to vote in federal elections. Currently, potential voters can participate in presidential, House, and Senate elections without needing to present proof of citizenship, such as a driver’s license or passport.
If enacted, this legislation would prevent states from processing voter registration applications unless applicants provide “documentary proof” of citizenship. Acceptable forms of proof would include a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a certified birth certificate paired with a government-issued photo ID.
For those lacking immediate documentation, states would be required to develop alternative verification processes—such as signed affidavits under the threat of perjury—to confirm citizenship status.
The SAVE Act does not merely stop at documentation. It also mandates that states actively remove noncitizens from voter rolls. This would involve utilizing federal databases, such as the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) and the Social Security Administration’s verification tools. Furthermore, states would be required to establish programs within 30 days of the act’s enactment to identify and eliminate ineligible voters.
In a bid to streamline operations, the SAVE Act also demands that federal agencies provide citizenship data to state election officials within 24 hours of a request—free of charge.
Election officials who are found to have registered non-citizens could face severe consequences, including criminal charges at the federal level. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security would be empowered to investigate and potentially deport any noncitizen discovered to be unlawfully registered.
Opponents, primarily Democrats, argue that this legislation could disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly among nonwhite communities, asserting that the required forms of ID are not readily accessible to everyone.
The House initiated an hour of debate on the SAVE Act around 9:20 am ET.
Following this discussion, the House is expected to vote on the congressional budget around 10:20 am, followed by the SAVE Act.
Watch live below:
