Summary
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act
This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
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. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship.
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.
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.
Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters.
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.
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.
How Congress Voted
Related bills
Related
- S. 3752SAVE America Act119
- H.R. 7296SAVE America Act119
- H.Res. 282Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions''; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 28) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to ''Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications''; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1526) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the authority of district courts to provide injunctive relief, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.119
- S. 128SAVE Act119
- H.R. 8206Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026119
Bill text versions
Legislative Journey
- Introduced
- Committee
- Floor
- Passed Chamber 1
- Passed Chamber 2
- Signed
Received in the Senate.
SenateMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102). (text: CR H1569-1571)
HousePassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102).
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 215 (Roll no. 101).
HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1580-1581)
HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 22, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Johnson (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
HouseThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
HouseMs. Johnson (TX) moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (text: CR H1569)
HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 22.
HouseRule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 18, S.J. Res. 28, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 22. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28.
HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294. (consideration: CR H1569-1579)
HouseRule H. Res. 294 passed House.
HouseRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 294 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 18, S.J. Res. 28, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 22. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28.
HouseRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 282 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28. The resolution also provides that H. Res. 23 and H. Res. 164 are laid on the table.
HouseReferred to the House Committee on House Administration.
HouseIntroduced in House
Introduced in House