Would require citizenship documentation to register to vote

This bill would modify the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, which made it easier for people to register to vote.

It would require anyone registering to vote (or updating their current registration) to present proof of U.S. citizenship - such as a birth certificate or passport.

This Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) likely would need to be presented in person at an election office.

Voting by mail would become harder. Voters registering for an absentee ballot would need to go in person to an elections office and present citizenship documentation.

It also would require anyone voting to show a photo ID.

Other names for this bill

This bill commonly is referred to be the acronym for Safeguard American Voter Eligibility - SAVE.

It originally passed the Senate for a different purpose, and was named the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act.

It was a companion bill to HR-22, which passed the House April 10, 2025. That bill still is officially active, but likely will remain unacted upon by the Senate.

An identical bill, HR-7296, also was introduced in the House, but not acted on.

Election workers face penalties for errors

Election officials can face criminal charges if they register a voter without sufficient proof of citizenship.

Even if it was an error - such as the name on their passport not exactly matching their legal name. And even if the person is in fact a citizen.

They can be sued by a regular citizen who believes the official registered someone incorrectly.