The SAVE America Act makes significant changes to how people register and vote in federal elections by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship. Currently, states can register people to vote based on their driver's license or mail-in forms without always verifying citizenship upfront. This bill changes that by requiring anyone registering to vote in federal elections to show documentary proof they're a U.S. citizen—things like a passport, birth certificate, military ID, or certain government-issued ID cards. If someone registers by mail, they'll need to show this proof in person before the registration deadline or at the polling place on election day. The bill also requires people voting in person to show photo ID that indicates they're a U.S. citizen, and people voting by absentee ballot must include a copy of such ID with their ballot. States will need to work with federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security to verify that registered voters are actually citizens, and they must remove anyone found to be a non-citizen from the voter rolls. Election officials who knowingly register ineligible voters could face penalties. The law applies to all federal elections starting immediately after it's enacted.

SAVE America Act

Roy, Chip

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America ActThis bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote,&nbsp;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 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 (1) provides&nbsp;for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses.Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.