Require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration?
The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections, specifically, prohibiting states from registering voters unless they present documentary proof of citizenship. Additionally, the bill establishes criminal penalties for those who register but fail to present proof of U.S. citizenship and removes noncitizens from voter rolls. The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which made it easier for Americans to register to vote and maintain their registration.
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (Republican, Texas, District 21)
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Opponents say
• "As we've seen a number of times this Congress, House Republicans continue to irresponsibly call into question the credibility of our elections. Despite numerous recounts, challenges in court, and deep-dives by conservative think-tanks, there has been zero evidence of the widespread fraud that this bill purports to target. It is already illegal under current law for noncitizens to register to vote or to vote in federal elections... By opening avenues to further intimidate election officials and overburden states’ abilities to enroll new voters, House Republicans make it clear who they believe should be allowed the right to vote and, more importantly, who they believe should not." Source: House Minority Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (Democrat, Massachusetts, District 5)
• "It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections - it is a Federal crime punishable by prison and fines. The alleged justification for this bill is based on easily disproven falsehoods. Additionally, making a false claim of citizenship or unlawfully voting in an election is punishable by removal from the United States and a permanent bar to admission. States already have effective safeguards in place to verify voters’ eligibility and maintain the accuracy of voter rolls. This bill would do nothing to safeguard our elections, but it would make it much harder for all eligible Americans to register to vote and increase the risk that eligible voters are purged from voter rolls. The evidence is clear that the current laws to prevent noncitizen voting are working as intended—it is extraordinarily rare for noncitizens to break the law by voting in Federal elections." Source: Executive Office of President Joe Biden
• "Perception is 9/10 of reality. Putting the solution on the table suggests there was a problem. And I think that's part of the point. [These laws] create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Time and time again in the interviews we did, we heard from immigrants who said they were super excited about this new law to allow them to vote [in local elections], and it felt like it affirmed their voices. ... But, you know, put themselves at risk? Not worth it. So clearly, they're not going to do that for a federal election where there's an explicit law passed in 1996 that would impose very serious felony crimes ... and that would certainly lead to their detention and deportation." Source: Professor Ron Hayduk, Noncitizen Voting Expert at San Francisco State University
Proponents say
• "Secure elections are a key cornerstone for any representative government; without them, we won't have a country. Radical progressive Democrats know this and are using open border policies while also attacking election integrity laws to fundamentally remake America." Source: Rep. Chip Roy (Republican, Texas, District 21)
• "Illegal immigrants and non-citizens across the nation are being improperly registered to vote, allowing them to cast illegitimate ballots in federal elections. At a time when trust in voting is more important than ever, we must stop foreign election interference and pass the SAVE Act. Voting is both a sacred right and responsibility of American citizenship, and allowing the people of other nations access to our elections is a grave blow to our security and self-governance." Source: Sen. Mike Lee (Republican, Utah)
• "It’s common sense and that only American citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections. Some jurisdictions, including New York City, have taken it upon themselves to ignore this fact and attempt to allow non-citizens the right to vote in local elections. The SAVE Act would put an end to unconstitutional non-citizen voting and ensure that American citizens retain their exclusive right to choose their representatives in the Federal government." Source: Rep. Andrew Garbarino (Republican, New York, District 2)
