Latest Action · Apr 10, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Bill Progress
Paper chase: SAVE Act’s hidden bureaucracy shock
Why it matters
Requiring documentary proof of citizenship would force states, DMVs, election offices, and vital-records bureaus into a costly, complex document-verification regime touching tens of millions of voters.
The SAVE Act reads like a clean fix: no one gets on the voter rolls for federal elections without documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Under the bill, that means passports, REAL ID-compliant licenses that explicitly flag citizenship, military IDs paired with service records, or tightly defined birth, naturalization, adoption, or consular documents.
The big picture: Backers frame proof-of-citizenship mandates as the lynchpin that saves the republic, arguing that a simple document check will block any noncitizen from registering. But implementing a national requirement means stitching together fractured systems: state vital-records databases, tribal records, REAL ID motor-vehicle files, passports, naturalization records, military databases, and hospital birth logs that were never designed to talk to one another. Election officials already report that tighter ID and residency rules can knock eligible voters off the rolls or keep them from casting ballots; one New England state’s recent changes turned away hundreds of legitimate voters over paperwork problems.
That’s where the SAVE Act’s hidden costs surface. To avoid mass disenfranchisement, states would need new IT pipes, secure data-sharing agreements, and staff trained to spot everything from outdated adoption decrees to foreign consular records. Rural counties and tribal governments, which may still rely on paper files, would be under pressure to digitize or risk becoming choke points. Every mismatch — a misspelled name, an old address, a missing parental name on a birth certificate — becomes the seed of a potential lawsuit from voters turned away not for ineligibility, but for failing the documentary maze.
Visual Summary
HR22 at a Glance
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<img src="https://legisletter.org/images/bill-infographics/hr22-safe-act.jpeg" alt="HR22 Visual Summary - SAVE Act" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" />
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<a href="https://legisletter.org/bill/hr22-save-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:inherit;text-decoration:underline;">HR22 Visual Summary – SAVE Act</a>
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<a href="https://legisletter.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:inherit;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;">legisletter.org</a>
</p>
</div>What This Bill Does
Requires paperwork proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections
To sign up to vote in federal elections, people must show specific documents that prove they are U.S. citizens, not just check a box or sign a form. The bill lists things like a passport, certain IDs that show U.S. birthplace, a certified birth certificate with detailed info, naturalization papers, or similar federal documents.
Blocks states from processing voter registrations without citizenship documents
States are not allowed to accept and complete a voter registration for federal elections unless the person includes one of the approved citizenship documents. In other words, even if you fill out the form correctly, you won’t actually be registered for federal voting until the paperwork proving citizenship is provided.
Adds a “citizenship check” to voter registration at the DMV
When people register to vote while applying for or renewing a driver’s license, the motor vehicle office has to verify that the person is a U.S. citizen and collect the required citizenship documents. The normal license application and “check this box to register” setup is now explicitly tied to this proof requirement.
Makes mail-in voter registration conditional on later showing citizenship documents in person
If someone uses the national mail voter registration form (or similar state mail forms), they will not be added to the federal voter rolls unless they later show their citizenship documents in person to an election office or, in some states, at the polling place. Election officials must send a notice explaining this extra step and how to complete it.
Tells states to inform residents about the new proof requirement
Each state’s top election official has to make sure people know they must provide citizenship documents to register for federal elections. This could mean public notices, instructions on forms, or other outreach so people aren’t surprised by the new rule.
Requires accommodations for disabled people to show citizenship documents
States must work with the federal Election Assistance Commission to make “reasonable accommodations” so people with disabilities can still present their citizenship documents. That means the process can’t be set up in a way that effectively blocks disabled citizens from completing registration.
Who Benefits
U.S. citizens worried about non‑citizens voting in federal elections
They get stricter rules meant to make it harder for non‑citizens to end up on voter rolls for federal races. The idea is that having to show hard proof of citizenship adds an extra safety check beyond just signing a form.
State and local election officials concerned about verifying citizenship
They get clearer legal backing to demand documents before registering someone to vote in federal elections. This reduces pressure to rely only on self-attestation and gives them a specific list of acceptable proofs to follow.
Federal agencies that issue citizenship documents (like State Department and DHS)
Their passports, naturalization certificates, and similar records become central to the voter registration process. That makes their documents the standard “golden ticket” for proving citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Disabled voters who might struggle with standard in‑person procedures
The bill explicitly requires that states make reasonable accommodations so disabled people can still present their citizenship documents. That provides a legal hook for them to ask for and receive adjusted processes if the normal in‑person step is a barrier.
Who's Affected
New or unregistered U.S. citizens trying to sign up to vote in federal elections
They now must track down and show specific citizenship documents instead of just filling out a form and certifying they’re citizens. This adds an extra step and can slow or block registration if they don’t have easy access to their birth certificate, passport, or other proofs.
People registering to vote at the DMV
They will face an added verification step: the motor vehicle office has to confirm citizenship and collect acceptable documents. Someone who could previously register with basic ID and a signed statement may now be turned away from voter registration for federal elections until they bring the right proof.
People who register to vote by mail using the national form
Mailing in the form alone is no longer enough to get registered for federal elections; they must later show up in person (or at a polling place in states that allow same‑day registration) with citizenship documents. If they miss that step or the deadline, they won’t be registered for federal races.
State election offices and staff
They must update their procedures, forms, and systems to check for citizenship documents and send notices to mail registrants about the in‑person proof requirement. Staff will have more paperwork to review and will handle more in‑person visits just to complete registrations.
Cosponsors (110)
Andrew Garbarino
Republican · NY
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican · NY
Brad Finstad
Republican · MN
Andrew Clyde
Republican · GA
Clay Higgins
Republican · LA
Diana Harshbarger
Republican · TN
Nancy Mace
Republican · SC
Kat Cammack
Republican · FL
Eric Burlison
Republican · MO
Andrew Ogles
Republican · TN
Harriet Hageman
Republican · WY
Russ Fulcher
Republican · ID
Recent Actions
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102). (text: CR H1569-1571: 2)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102).
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 215 (Roll no. 101).
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1580-1581: 1)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 22, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Johnson (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
What Changes in the Law
8 key amendments · 9 total changes
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 3 (52 U.S.C. 20502)
As used(a) IN GENERAL.—As usedWhat this means: This formally creates a subsection structure in the definitions section, paving the way for new defined terms like 'documentary proof of United States citizenship.'
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 3 (52 U.S.C. 20502)
‘‘(b) DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.—As used in this Act, the term ‘documentary proof of United States citizenship’ means, with respect to an applicant for voter registration, any of the following:
‘‘(1) A form of identification issued consistent with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
‘‘(2) A valid United States passport.
‘‘(3) The applicant’s official United States military identification card, together with a United States military record of service showing that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
‘‘(4) A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State or Tribal government showing that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
‘‘(5) A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State or Tribal government other than an identification described in paragraphs (1) through (4), but only if presented together with one or more of the following:
‘‘(A) A certified birth certificate issued by a State, a unit of local government in a State, or a Tribal government which—
‘‘(i) was issued by the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government in which the applicant was born;
‘‘(ii) was filed with the office responsible for keeping vital records in the State;
‘‘(iii) includes the full name, date of birth, and place of birth of the applicant;
‘‘(iv) lists the full names of one or both of the parents of the applicant;
‘‘(v) has the signature of an individual who is authorized to sign birth certificates on behalf of the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government in which the applicant was born;
‘‘(vi) includes the date that the certificate was filed with the office responsible for keeping vital records in the State; and
‘‘(vii) has the seal of the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government that issued the birth certificate.
‘‘(B) An extract from a United States hospital Record of Birth created at the time of the applicant’s birth which indicates that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
‘‘(C) A final adoption decree showing the applicant’s name and that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
‘‘(D) A Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a citizen of the United States or a certification of the applicant’s Report of Birth of a United States citizen issued by the Secretary of State.
‘‘(E) A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security or any other document or method of proof of United States citizenship issued by the Federal government pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
‘‘(F) An American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security with the classification ‘KIC’.''What this means: This adds a detailed statutory definition of acceptable 'documentary proof of United States citizenship' that applicants must present to register to vote in federal elections.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 4(a) and new 4(b) (52 U.S.C. 20503)
in subsection (a), the cross-reference "subsection (b)" (the prior text merely referred to "subsection (b)")in subsection (a), "subsection (c)" and a new subsection: ‘‘(b) REQUIRING APPLICANTS TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.—Under any method of voter registration in a State, the State shall not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship with the application.’’What this means: This redesigns the section and imposes a nationwide rule that no voter registration for federal elections may be accepted or processed unless the applicant provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 5(a)(1) (52 U.S.C. 20504(a)(1))
“Each State motor vehicle driver’s license application”“Subject to the requirements under section 8(j), each State motor vehicle driver’s license application”What this means: This makes state motor-vehicle-based voter registration explicitly subject to new requirements that will be set out in section 8(j), tightening how DMV-linked voter registration operates.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 5(c)(2)(B) (52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(B))
In clause (i), nothing; in clause (ii), the existing ending without a conjunction(technical edits to clause (i) and (ii) to add 'and') and a new clause: ‘‘(iii) verify that the applicant is a citizen of the United States;’’What this means: This requires that when voter registration is offered through driver’s license applications, the State must verify that the applicant is a U.S. citizen as part of that process.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 5(c)(2)(C)(i) (52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(C)(i))
“(including citizenship)”“, including the requirement that the applicant provides documentary proof of United States citizenship”What this means: This clarifies that the driver’s-license-based voter registration form must inform applicants specifically about the requirement to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, not just a generic statement about citizenship.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 5(c)(2)(D)(iii) (52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(D)(iii))
; and, other than as evidence in a criminal proceeding or immigration proceeding brought against an applicant who knowingly attempts to register to vote and knowingly makes a false declaration under penalty of perjury that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to register to vote in an election for Federal office; and’’What this means: This creates an explicit exception allowing certain driver’s-license-voter-registration information to be used as evidence in criminal or immigration cases against people who deliberately lie about their eligibility to register.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Section 6 (52 U.S.C. 20505)
Section 6(a)(1): “Each State shall accept and use” and “Federal Election Commission”; Section 6(c)(1) previously had only subparagraphs (A) and (B) and no citizenship-proof ground; Section 6 had no subsection (e).Section 6(a)(1): “Subject to the requirements under section 8(j), each State shall accept and use” and “Election Assistance Commission”; Section 6(b): new sentence “The chief State election official of a State shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that residents of the State are aware of the requirement to provide documentary proof of United States citizenship to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.”; Section 6(c)(1)(C): “(C) the person did not provide documentary proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote.’’; and a new subsection 6(e) titled “ENSURING PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP” requiring mail applicants to present documentary proof in person by specified deadlines, mandating notice of this requirement, and requiring reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.What this means: These changes overhaul the federal mail voter registration process so that states must condition registration on in-person presentation of documentary proof of citizenship, notify applicants of this requirement, and ensure accessibility, while also shifting oversight references from the FEC to the Election Assistance Commission.
+ 1 more changes in the full bill text
Committees (1)
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28 organizations lobbying on this bill
| Organization | Period |
|---|---|
SOUTHERN POLICY LAW CENTER, INC. via MISSION STRATEGIES LLC | Q1 |
DEFEND THE VOTE ACTION FUND via MISSION STRATEGIES LLC | Q1 |
COMMON CAUSE | Q1 |
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS | Q1 |
CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER, INC. | Q1 |
SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION CTW-CLC | Q1 |
AFL-CIO | Q1 |
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM | Q1 |
DEMOCRACY 21 | Q1 |
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE | Q1 |
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN | Q1 |
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE | Q1 |
VOTEVETS ACTION FUND, INC. | Q1 |
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | Q1 |
AMAC ACTION via SCHOENING STRATEGIES | Q1 |
Showing 1-15 of 28 organizations
Full Bill Text
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