While it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, a bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require voters to show documentary proof of citizenship, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill's passage by Congress is not certain, as it still needs approval from the Senate and has faced legal challenges.
Key
developments on the SAVE Act
· House passage: The
House approved the SAVE Act in April 2025. This marked the second time the bill
had passed the House; a similar version passed in 2024 but stalled in the
Senate.
· Senate
uncertainty: The bill's fate in the Senate is unclear. Since Republicans
do not have a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority, the bill would need
bipartisan support to pass. Democrats and voting rights groups oppose the bill,
arguing that it could disenfranchise millions of eligible citizens who lack
immediate access to the necessary documents.
· Executive action and legal challenges: The House bill supports a March 2025 executive order from President Trump, which also included a citizenship requirement. However, parts of the executive order have been blocked by federal courts, and the SAVE Act is expected to face similar legal challenges if it were to become law.
Requirements
of the SAVE Act
If
passed, the SAVE Act would significantly alter the voter registration process
for federal elections by:
· Requiring documentary
proof of citizenship: Instead of simply attesting to their citizenship on
a registration form, individuals would need to provide documents like a U.S.
passport or birth certificate to register.
· Limiting registration
methods: The bill could eliminate online and mail-in voter registration,
which are critical for registration drives. It may also require citizens to
register in person.
· Placing new burdens on states: The bill would require states to take steps to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls. State officials could face criminal penalties for processing voter registrations without the required proof of citizenship.
Arguments
surrounding the bill
· Supporters: Proponents
of the SAVE Act, including many Republicans, argue it is necessary to eliminate
non-citizen voting and restore confidence in elections.
· Opponents: Critics, including voting rights groups, say the bill addresses a problem that is extremely rare and often results from an honest mistake. Opponents argue the new requirements would place undue burdens on voters and could disenfranchise millions of eligible citizens, particularly people of color, who may not have ready access to citizenship documents.
Apr 10, 2025 — The SAVE Act compels states to reject any voter registration application in which the applicant has not presented “documentary proof of United States citizenship.
Comments
Senate Republicans will need 60 votes to allow the Bill to pass. Trump is restoring US Law to return the US to the Constitution’s Original Intent.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
No comments:
Post a Comment