# Plain Language Summary of the SAVE Act

This bill requires anyone registering to vote in federal elections to provide proof that they're a U.S. citizen. Right now, when you register to vote, you typically just sign a form stating you're a citizen—you don't have to show documentation. This bill changes that by requiring actual proof, like a passport, birth certificate, or state ID that shows your place of birth.

The bill spells out exactly what counts as acceptable proof. You can use a U.S. passport, a state ID that meets federal standards, a birth certificate issued by your state, military ID with proof of U.S. birth, or several other government documents. If you don't have one of these specific documents, you can provide other evidence (like a hospital record from your birth or adoption papers) along with a regular government photo ID. The bill also creates a backup process where if you can't provide documentation, you can sign a statement under penalty of perjury that you're a citizen, and election officials will decide whether you've proven your citizenship some other way.

This affects anyone registering to vote in federal elections—whether they're registering at the DMV, through the mail, or at a polling place. States would need to update their registration systems and inform people about the new requirement. The bill also requires that voter registration agencies (like those at social service offices) ask applicants directly if they're citizens and collect the citizenship proof before handing over registration forms.

The practical impact is that the voter registration process would become more complicated and time-consuming for everyone. People would need to gather and present documents they might not currently have readily available. Supporters argue this prevents non-citizens from voting; critics worry it could make it harder for eligible citizens to register, particularly those without easy access to birth certificates or other required documents.

SAVE Act

Roy, Chip

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE ActThis bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.&nbsp;The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as&nbsp;identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship.Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship.Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources.Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters.The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.