US House Passes SAVE Act Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration

The US House of Representatives has passed the SAVE Act—a Republican-led bill requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, despite noncitizen voting already being illegal under U.S. law.

Key Highlights:

1. Bill Name: SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)
2. Vote Tally: Passed with 220–208 votes; supported by 4 Democrats.
3. Objective: To mandate documentary proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, passport) for voter registration in federal elections.
4. Additional Provision: Allows for removal of noncitizens from federal voter rolls.

Concerns Raised:

1. Critics argue the bill creates unnecessary barriers to voting, potentially disenfranchising millions of eligible U.S. citizens.
2. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, over 21 million Americans eligible to vote lack easy access to citizenship documents.
3. Voting rights advocates view the bill as a "solution in search of a problem", given that noncitizen voting is already rare and illegal.

Legislative Status:

1. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans have a majority, but support from some Democrats is required for passage.
2. A similar bill passed the House earlier but failed in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Associated Developments:

1. In March 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing citizenship verification for voter registration.
2. The order has triggered legal challenges from civil rights and democratic advocacy groups, citing concerns of federal overreach and voter suppression.

 

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