House Passes SAVE America Act Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Federal Elections

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the SAVE America Act, a bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections, including the upcoming November midterms. Lawmakers voted 218-213 in favor of the measure, with only one Democrat joining Republicans in support. The legislation now heads to the Republican-led Senate, where it is expected to face significant hurdles in securing the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

The bill, revived from proposals first introduced during the 2024 presidential campaign, follows former President Donald Trump’s repeated and unsubstantiated claims that large numbers of non-citizens have voted in federal elections. The measure would require documentary proof of citizenship at voter registration and impose criminal penalties on election officials who register individuals without proper documentation. Republicans also added a provision mandating photo identification for voters casting ballots in person or by mail in future federal elections, citing public support reflected in recent polling.

Democrats strongly opposed the legislation, arguing it would create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters and disproportionately affect citizens who lack easy access to documents such as passports or birth certificates. Voting rights advocates, including the Brennan Center for Justice, warned the bill could disenfranchise millions of Americans despite evidence that non-citizen voting in federal elections is extremely rare. The debate unfolds amid broader tensions between federal and state authorities over election oversight, with Republicans also preparing a separate proposal aimed at mandating paper ballots, limiting mail-in voting, and banning ranked-choice voting in federal general elections.

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