The U.S. House closed out last week with passage of H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which requires in-person proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote in federal elections. The SAVE Act would help codify an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in March regarding proof of citizenship to vote.
Georgia’s Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA, was one of the original co-sponsors of the legislation. It passed the House last year, but it died in the Senate. Now it’s heading back to the upper Chamber for another vote.
According to Allen, the SAVE Act is “commonsense legislation to uphold and strengthen current law to ensure only American citizens can vote in American elections.”
“During the Biden-Harris Administration, millions of illegal immigrants entered our country, and many states continue to find non-citizens on their voter rolls. This is unacceptable to the highest degree,” said Allen following the vote. “The SAVE Act ensures only American citizens decide American elections by requiring in-person proof of U.S. citizenship when individuals register to vote in federal elections. It is beyond disappointing to see 208 House Democrats oppose legislation to secure our elections and protect Americans’ constitutional right to vote. House Republicans will continue to work with President Trump to deliver the America First agenda.”
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr took to social media praising the vote. He said, “Last year, we stood with 21 AGs in urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act. In Georgia, it’s illegal for noncitizens to vote. It’s a commonsense approach that should be implemented nationwide.”
In Georgia, voter citizenship is verified through Real ID documentation already on file with the state. If these documents are insufficient, additional verification is conducted using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database.
Highlights of the SAVE Act:
- Requires states to obtain proof of citizenship – in person – before registering an individual to vote in an election.
- Requires states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls, while giving them necessary tools to do so.
- States are also directed to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled Americans and applicants that have discrepancies on their documentation due to a name change.
- This legislation passed the House in a bipartisan vote (221 – 198) during the 118th Congress before being blocked by Senate Democrats.
