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:
- Bill Name: SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)
- Vote Tally: Passed with 220–208 votes; supported by 4 Democrats.
- Objective: To mandate documentary proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, passport) for voter registration in federal elections.
- Additional Provision: Allows for removal of noncitizens from federal voter rolls.
Concerns Raised:
- Critics argue the bill creates unnecessary barriers to voting, potentially disenfranchising millions of eligible U.S. citizens.
- According to the Brennan Center for Justice, over 21 million Americans eligible to vote lack easy access to citizenship documents.
- 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:
- The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans have a majority, but support from some Democrats is required for passage.
- A similar bill passed the House earlier but failed in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Associated Developments:
- In March 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing citizenship verification for voter registration.
- The order has triggered legal challenges from civil rights and democratic advocacy groups, citing concerns of federal overreach and voter suppression.
