The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Acceptable documents include REAL ID-compliant identification indicating citizenship. States must establish alternative evidence processes and ongoing programs to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. The bill creates criminal penalties and private lawsuit rights against officials who register applicants without citizenship documentation.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Acceptable documents include REAL ID-compliant identification indicating citizenship. States must establish alternative evidence processes and ongoing programs to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. The bill creates criminal penalties and private lawsuit rights against officials who register applicants without citizenship documentation.
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 proof of citizenship to register to vote
Accepts REAL ID-compliant identification
States must establish alternative evidence processes
Mandates ongoing non-citizen identification and removal programs
Criminal penalties and private right of action for violations
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill significantly increases voter registration requirements by mandating citizenship documentation. Supporters argue it prevents non-citizen voting. Critics contend non-citizen voting is extremely rare and the requirements would burden eligible citizens who lack readily available documentation. The private right of action could enable challenges to registration decisions across the country.
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
128, 119th Congress (2025). "SAVE Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-128