SAVE Act: U.S. House Passes Citizenship Proof Requirement for Voter Registration:

On April 10, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with a 220-208 vote. This legislation requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future.

Overview of the SAVE Act

The SAVE Act amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, stipulating that individuals must present specific documents to prove U.S. citizenship during voter registration or when updating registration details. Acceptable documents include a valid U.S. passport, a birth certificate, or a REAL ID-compliant driver's license indicating citizenship status. The bill also mandates states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls and imposes penalties on election officials who fail to verify citizenship properly

Current Voter ID Laws in the U.S.

As of now, voter ID laws vary across states. Thirty-six states have laws requesting or requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls, while the remaining 14 states and Washington, D.C., use other methods to verify voter identity . These laws range from strict photo ID requirements to more lenient alternatives allowing a broader range of identification forms.

Implications and Concerns

Critics argue that the SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly marginalized groups such as people of color, the elderly, rural residents, and those born in U.S. territories. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on married women who have changed their surnames and may not have a birth certificate matching their current legal name . Additionally, the bill could eliminate popular methods of voter registration, such as online and mail-in services, increasing burdens on election workers.

International Comparisons

Supporters of the SAVE Act point to countries like India and Brazil, where voter identification is linked to biometric databases, as examples of stricter voter ID systems. They argue that the U.S. should adopt similar measures to ensure election integrity.