U.S. House Passes GOP-Backed Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Eligibility.

House Passes GOP-Backed SAVE Act Requiring Proof of U.S. Citizenship to Vote in Federal Elections.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a key Republican-backed bill that would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The legislation is part of a broader push led by Republicans and former President Donald Trump to tighten election security and reinforce voter integrity laws.

The bill passed largely along party lines, with nearly all Democrats opposing it. Opponents argue the measure could disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters who may not have immediate access to documents like a passport or certified birth certificate. According to a 2023 Brennan Center report, an estimated 21 million U.S. citizens lack proof of citizenship, and nearly half of Americans do not possess a passport.

Supporters, including bill sponsor Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and House Administration Committee Chair Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), assert the legislation is essential to prevent noncitizen voting and restore public confidence in the electoral process—despite the fact that noncitizen voting is already illegal and extremely rare.

The SAVE Act mirrors elements of a recent executive order by Trump calling for citizenship requirements in elections. This marks Republicans’ second attempt at passing the bill after a failed effort last year in the Senate. While the GOP now controls the Senate, the narrow majority is unlikely to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

Democrats, voting rights advocates, and civil rights groups warn that the legislation could especially impact women who have changed their names, elderly voters, military personnel, and low-income Americans. They cite past cases—like a Kansas law struck down in 2018—that led to tens of thousands of eligible voters being blocked from registering due to documentation issues.

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) criticized the bill, warning it could affect up to 69 million women due to name changes after marriage or divorce. Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) called it a “paperwork nightmare” designed to disenfranchise Americans, not protect against illegal voting.

While four Democrats broke ranks to support the bill—Reps. Ed Case, Henry Cuellar, Jared Golden, and Marie Perez—the legislation now faces uncertain prospects in the Senate. Critics continue to question the bill’s necessity, labeling it a response to unproven claims about voter fraud.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, summed up opposition by calling the legislation “a solution in search of a problem,” arguing it preys on unfounded fears about the integrity of U.S. elections.