usa — track Congress Laws

SAVE Act

HR 22 · In progress · last action April 10, 2025

<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.&nbsp;The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as&nbsp;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>

Sponsor

Chip Roy (R-TX)

Associated votes

On Passage (house, April 10, 2025)Passed
On Motion to Recommit (house, April 10, 2025)Failed

Official 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.&nbsp;The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as&nbsp;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>