U.S. House Mandates Citizenship Proof for Federal Voting in Groundbreaking Bill

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) on Wednesday, requiring individuals registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship.

The bill, approved in a 221-198 vote, mandates states to audit their voter rolls for registered noncitizens. Under current U.S. law, only citizens are allowed to vote in federal elections, yet the 1993 National Voter Registration Act prohibits states from confirming citizenship status.

Voting laws in the U.S. vary by state. Some states, such as Georgia and Wisconsin, mandate photo identification, while others, like Pennsylvania and New Mexico, require no documentation.

States that do require identification commonly accept driver’s licenses, military ID cards, student ID cards, birth certificates, and tribal ID cards. The SAVE Act, however, would primarily necessitate a passport for voter registration.

According to State Department data, only 48% of U.S. citizens possess a passport. Most driver’s licenses and tribal ID cards do not verify citizenship and would not suffice under the SAVE Act’s provisions.

Data suggest noncitizen voting is not prevalent. Audits in states including North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, California, and Texas reviewed voter rolls from 2016 to 2022, uncovering fewer than 50 noncitizens voting in each state among millions of votes cast.

Despite the House’s approval, the bill is unlikely to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

House Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana labeled it “one of the most important votes” for House members. Johnson’s office previously released a report emphasizing the act’s necessity for election integrity.

The Biden administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy against the bill, arguing that noncitizen voting is not a significant issue and the legislation could hinder eligible Americans’ voting rights.

Democratic Representative Joe Morelle of New York contended the bill seeks to scare, silence, and disenfranchise Americans, rather than protecting democracy.

However, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, a Wisconsin Republican, argued the legislation aims to restore confidence in the American election system.

Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise called the bill a measure to ensure only American citizens participate in elections.

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries suggested the SAVE Act could be used as a pretext for challenging future election results.

Voting rights advocates criticize the bill, claiming it promotes falsehoods and conspiracy theories. They argue the legislation plays into xenophobia and could undermine legitimate election outcomes.

Virginia Democrat Jennifer McClellan compared the bill to a “Jim Crow poll tax,” noting that no proof of citizenship documents are free of charge. Texas Republican Wesley Hunt rebutted, stating “Jim Crow is over.”