This bill requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. States cannot register anyone for federal elections without citizenship documentation such as REAL ID-compliant identification showing citizenship. States must establish alternative processes for proving citizenship and take ongoing steps to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls. The bill creates a private right of action against officials who register voters without citizenship proof and establishes criminal penalties for violations.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. States cannot register anyone for federal elections without citizenship documentation such as REAL ID-compliant identification showing citizenship. States must establish alternative processes for proving citizenship and take ongoing steps to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls. The bill creates a private right of action against officials who register voters without citizenship proof and establishes criminal penalties for violations.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.</p><p>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.</p><p>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 under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship.</p><p>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.</p><p>Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters.</p><p>The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.</p><p>The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires documentary citizenship proof for federal voter registration
Accepts REAL ID-compliant identification showing citizenship
Mandates state programs to identify and remove noncitizens from rolls
Creates private right of action against violating officials
Establishes criminal penalties for registration violations
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
For voters: New documentation requirements when registering. For states: Mandatory citizenship verification programs. For election officials: Potential civil and criminal liability. For noncitizens: Removal from voter registration lists. For election integrity advocates: Strengthened citizenship verification.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Government Operations and Politics
Related Subjects
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Election Assistance Commission
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Licensing and registrations
Postal service
State and local government operations
+1 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
22, 119th Congress (2025). "SAVE Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-22
