In a closely contested 220-208 vote, the House of Representatives has passed the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act—a new bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to move forward.
If approved, the SAVE Act would standardize voter registration rules across the country by introducing federal requirements for verifying citizenship. This marks a significant shift from the current system, where states set their own guidelines.
Key Highlights of the SAVE Act:
- Proof of citizenship required for anyone registering to vote in federal elections
- Mandatory removal of noncitizens from existing voter rolls
- Nationwide standards for citizenship verification
- Federal enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance
At present, voter registration laws vary widely—some states require documented proof of citizenship, while others rely on self-attestation.
Proponents of the bill say it’s a critical move to protect election integrity and ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens can participate in federal elections.