The House of Representatives has passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a major Republican-backed bill that would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate or passport—when registering to vote in federal elections.
The bill passed narrowly in a 220-208 vote, with Republicans championing it as a necessary step to protect the integrity of American elections and ensure only American citizens are allowed to cast a ballot. Supporters say the SAVE Act closes a loophole that could allow noncitizens to register and vote, particularly in states that do not currently require proof of citizenship.
“This is a simple concept: only American citizens should vote in American elections,” said one GOP lawmaker following the vote. “The American people overwhelmingly support voter ID and citizenship verification, and this bill delivers exactly that.”
The legislation would apply to all federal elections, requiring election officials to obtain and verify documents proving citizenship when someone registers or updates their voter registration. Under the current system, many states only require a signature or sworn statement of eligibility—something critics of the status quo argue is ripe for abuse.
Democrats, however, have come out strongly against the bill, claiming it could make it harder for some Americans—particularly low-income individuals, the elderly, and minorities—to register to vote if they don’t have immediate access to required documents. They argue the bill addresses a problem that is rare or nonexistent and say it could lead to voter suppression.
Republicans counter that preventing noncitizen voting should be a bipartisan issue and that election security is paramount. They point to public polling that consistently shows strong support for requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
The SAVE Act now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. Many Senate Democrats have already indicated they will oppose it, setting up a potential showdown over one of the most hotly debated issues in American politics: securing the vote.
As the 2026 election cycle ramps up, the SAVE Act is expected to become a major point of contrast between the two parties—one prioritizing safeguards, the other decrying those efforts as unnecessary hurdles. But for Republicans, the message is clear: American elections should be decided by American citizens—period.