The SAVE Act, or Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, is a federal bill introduced in the 119th U.S. Congress in 2025 that aims to tighten voter registration requirements for federal elections by mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship from all applicants
Key Provisions of the SAVE Act
- Requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certain REAL ID-compliant IDs) when registering to vote in federal elections
- Prohibits states from accepting voter registration applications for federal elections without such proof
- Requires states to establish alternative processes for applicants to submit other evidence of citizenship and to maintain voter rolls by removing noncitizens
- Imposes criminal penalties on election officials who register voters without proper citizenship documentation
- Allows private lawsuits against officials who register ineligible voters
Impact and Controversy
- The Act would significantly change current voter registration processes, as most states do not currently require documentary proof of citizenship, relying instead on voter attestation
- It could create barriers for millions of eligible voters who lack the required documents, including many women who have changed their names after marriage, low-income individuals, elderly, and young voters
- Critics argue it could suppress voter participation by making registration more difficult and costly, especially since many Americans do not have passports or birth certificates with their current legal names
- Supporters say it is necessary to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections, addressing concerns about voter fraud despite evidence that such fraud is extremely rare
Practical Effects
- Voters may need to register or update registration in person at election offices, as remote or mail-in updates would be eliminated under the Act
- States might have to run separate voter rolls or elections for those who cannot provide proof of citizenship, similar to processes already in place in Arizona
- The Act does not provide federal funding for states to implement these new requirements, potentially increasing election administration costs
In summary, the SAVE Act is a legislative effort to enforce stricter citizenship verification for voter registration in federal elections, with significant implications for voter access and election administration
