The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with a vote of 221-198. The bill, championed by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., aims to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
Proponents of the SAVE Act have argued that this bill is necessary to protect the integrity of U.S. elections. Johnson himself stated,
“This legislation is crucial to ensure that only eligible American citizens participate in our federal electoral process.”
The bill would require applicants to provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, when registering to vote.
However, critics argue that the SAVE Act addresses a largely nonexistent problem while potentially disenfranchising legitimate voters. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., voiced this concern, saying,
“This bill is a solution in search of a problem. It could prevent millions of eligible Americans from exercising their right to vote.”
The Brennan Center for Justice reports that more than 21 million voting-age American citizens don’t have readily available proof of citizenship. Critics worry this could disproportionately affect certain demographics, including elderly, low-income, and rural voters.
In general, the bill would modify the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which currently allows residents to register to vote when applying for a driver’s license or other official ID, typically by signing an affidavit affirming citizenship.
Still, some Democrats have mentioned that it doesn’t address situations like name changes due to marriage or gender transition. Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, D-Northern Marianas Islands, pointed out that the bill’s wording excludes U.S. territories, potentially disenfranchising those constituents.
While the bill passed the House, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. President Biden has indicated he would veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. Nevertheless, the SAVE Act has reignited debates over voting rights, election security, and the balance between preventing fraud and ensuring access to the ballot.
