Plain Language Summary
# SAVE America Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The SAVE America Act would require voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport or REAL ID-compliant identification) when registering to vote in federal elections. It would also mandate that voters show photo identification at the polls. Currently, federal law allows states to accept voter registration applications without citizenship documentation, though states can verify citizenship through other means.
This bill would standardize citizenship verification requirements across all states for federal elections. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects voters registering for federal elections and states administering elections. It would impact anyone without current photo identification or citizenship documentation, potentially creating barriers for certain groups, including elderly citizens, low-income individuals, and some minorities—though supporters argue it strengthens election security while critics contend it could suppress voter participation. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (S 3752, 119th Congress), sponsored by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). It has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. The bill reflects ongoing partisan debate over voting access versus election security, with Republicans generally supporting stricter voter ID requirements and Democrats generally opposing them as unnecessary barriers to voting.
CRS Official Summary
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America ActThis bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship.Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship.Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources.Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters.The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses.Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.