While it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections under a 1996 law, the SAVE Act aims to change the registration process by shifting the burden of proof to the individual at the time of registration.
Key Provisions
The bill (most recently known as the SAVE America Act or H.R. 22) includes several significant changes to current voting procedures:
Proof of Citizenship Requirement: To register, applicants would need to provide specific documents such as a U.S. Passport, a birth certificate (often accompanied by photo ID), or an enhanced driver’s license that specifically indicates citizenship.
In-Person Requirements: For many, the act would require presenting these documents in person. This effectively limits or eliminates the convenience of mail-in and online voter registration.
Voter Roll Purges: The bill mandates that states perform ongoing "maintenance" to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls. It also requires states to share unredacted voter data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for verification.
Penalties for Officials: It establishes criminal penalties for election officials who register an applicant without the required proof of citizenship.
The Debate
Arguments in Favor (Proponents)
Supporters, primarily Republican lawmakers, argue the bill is necessary to:
Protect Election Integrity: Ensure that only eligible citizens are voting.
Close Loopholes: Address concerns that noncitizens might accidentally or intentionally register through DMVs (Motor Voter) or other agencies.
Standardize Verification: Create a uniform federal standard for citizenship verification.
Arguments Against (Critics)
Opponents, including many civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, argue the bill would:
Disenfranchise Eligible Voters: An estimated 21 million eligible citizens do not have immediate access to the required documents (like a passport or birth certificate).
Create Hurdles for Women: Roughly 90% of married women have different names on their birth certificates than their current IDs, which would require even more documentation (like marriage licenses) to prove their identity.
Burden Election Offices: The "immediate" implementation would create massive administrative costs and logistical hurdles for state and local election offices right before major elections.
Current Status (As of February 2026)
The latest version of the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on February 11, 2026, with a party-line vote of 218–213. It is now moving to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
