U.S. House Greenlights Bill Mandating Citizenship Proof for Federal Voting

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a significant bill on Wednesday, focusing on voter registration requirements and citizenship verification. The legislation, passed primarily along party lines with a 221-198 vote, would mandate individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Named the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, the bill aims to prevent noncitizens from participating in federal elections. Though under existing U.S. law, only citizens can vote in federal elections, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 restricts states from confirming citizenship status of registrants.

The SAVE Act pushes for states to scrutinize their voter rolls for noncitizens. Voting laws across the United States vary widely. For instance, Georgia and Wisconsin require photo identification, while Pennsylvania and New Mexico do not necessitate any documentation.

States with identification requirements typically accept driver’s licenses, military ID cards, student ID cards, birth certificates, tribal ID cards, or recent utility bills. However, the SAVE Act, introduced by GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas in May, demands most individuals to possess a passport to register to vote. Currently, only about 48% of U.S. citizens hold a passport, according to State Department data. Driver’s licenses and tribal ID cards, which do not prove citizenship, would not be sufficient under this new requirement.

Data suggests that noncitizen voting is not a widespread issue. Reviews conducted between 2016 and 2022 by states such as North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, California, and Texas revealed fewer than 50 noncitizens voting in each state, out of millions of total votes. However, the bill is unlikely to progress in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

During the House floor debate, Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, described the bill as one of the most crucial votes for members of the chamber. He released a 22-page report last month, contending that the SAVE Act is essential for election integrity. Johnson criticized the Democratic Party for allegedly maintaining open borders and claimed they want noncitizens to vote in elections.

Conversely, the Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy against the legislation on Monday, citing there is no substantial concern about noncitizen voting and that the bill could suppress the voting rights of eligible Americans. Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, warned that the bill could have adverse effects on American voters, describing it as an effort to scare, silence, and disenfranchise citizens.

Despite strong opposition, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, a Wisconsin Republican, supported the legislation, stating the SAVE Act is necessary to restore public confidence in the electoral system. Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana lauded the bill as a means to ensure that only American citizens vote in U.S. elections.

The bill’s broader implications were highlighted during the debate, with Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York suggesting that Republicans might use the bill as a pretext for challenging election outcomes. Voting rights advocates expressed concern, claiming the bill perpetuates falsehoods and conspiracy theories.

During a press conference hosted by America’s Voice, an immigrant advocacy nonprofit, Sean Morales-Doyle from the Brennan Center for Justice criticized the bill for promoting themes of racism and xenophobia. He argued that it lays the groundwork for disputing legitimate election results in the future.

The debate grew more heated with comparisons to historical injustices. Rep. Jennifer McClellan of Virginia likened the bill to a “Jim Crow poll tax,” pointing out that obtaining proof of citizenship typically incurs a cost. In response, Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas dismissed such comparisons, asserting that “Jim Crow is over.”