The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, has taken over the media because of its effect on future voting registration. If the act becomes a law, it will guarantee that voters will have to provide proof of United States citizenship before voting, whether that be in the form of a birth certificate or passport. Many Democratic senators believe that the act is a form of voter suppression and will become an inconvenience for U.S. citizens when it comes to voting. Alternatively, Republican senators feel as though the act will regulate non-citizens in polls.
Since 1996, non-citizen voting has been illegal due to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, however some believe that those regulations are not enough and that non-citizen voting is a real issue. The SAVE act was introduced to the House of Representatives in 2024. The bill has been passed in the House multiple times, but seems to be stalled in the Senate because of controversy and their two week recess. With the bill being stalled, it is unclear when or if the bill will be passed; with that being said, congress members are still concerned with what the bill entails.
A majority of democrats have strong views against this bill, left leaning senators have criticized the bill for its lack of effectiveness. Instead of limiting illegal immigrants from voting, the act may make it difficult for actual citizens to provide documentation of citizenship. A large portion of the country has remarried and changed their last name. One would have to show proof of their name change in order to explain why their current name is different then their birth certificate. Additionally, in order to obtain a passport one must pay $165, which can be costly for individuals that have financial burdens. Although there are other ways to prove citizenship, having a passport and birth certificate is a more common form of proof. Another part of the bill is that online voting polls would be diminished. However, citizens that are sick, disabled, in the military or are traveling will still have the ability to vote online.
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, 52% of registered voters do not have active passports with their current legal name. Furthermore, 11% of registered voters do not have access to their birth certificate. Another stance on the bill is that a driver’s license, which is currently the only thing necessary for voter registration, is already an acceptable method of proving citizenship. Obtaining a drivers license requires proof of state residency, proof of being a legal U.S. citizen and one’s social security number. Although most Republicans believe that it is not enough to limit non-citizen voting.
“America lags behind other nations in enforcing basic and necessary election protections,” The White House website said.
Republican Senators strongly believe that the SAVE act diminished the defects of our current voting system. Moreover, they argue it ensures that only American Citizens are contributing to the polls. Immigration and border control has been a large part of President Donald Trump’s agenda since he took office. He strictly believes that the SAVE act will succeed and create fair voting for all citizens.
“It supersedes everything else. Must go to the front of the line. I, as President, will not sign other bills until this is passed, and not the watered down version— go for the gold,” Trump said according to NBC news.
Congress members are asking themselves if this bill will actually better the American people or if it will just make it more difficult for real citizens to vote. The decision is up to the senate and this bill will have a lasting impact for voter registration around the country.
