SAVE Act

Key Points

• This bill requires anyone registering to vote in federal elections to show physical proof that they are a U.S. citizen. While most states currently allow people to sign a statement swearing they are citizens, this law would require specific documents like a passport, a birth certificate, or a REAL ID that confirms citizenship status.
• States would be prohibited from processing voter registration applications from the DMV, through the mail, or at government agencies unless the applicant provides the required proof. People who register by mail may be required to visit an election office in person to show their documents before they are officially registered.
• The policy requires federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, to share their records with state election officials. If a state asks for help checking a person's citizenship, the federal government must provide that information within 24 hours without charging a fee.
• Election officials could face criminal penalties or private lawsuits if they register an individual who has not provided the necessary proof of citizenship. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security would be required to investigate any non-citizens found on voter rolls to determine if they should be removed from the country.
• For citizens who do not have the standard documents, states must create a backup process. This would allow an applicant to submit other evidence and sign a sworn statement, but a local election official would have to sign a formal affidavit explaining exactly why they approved the registration.

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