The SAVE America Act makes significant changes to how people register to vote in federal elections. The core requirement is that anyone registering to vote must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—this is the main change from current law. Acceptable documents include a passport, REAL ID-compliant driver's license, military ID, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or similar government-issued documents showing citizenship. If someone can't provide these documents, they can sign a statement under penalty of perjury claiming citizenship, and election officials will decide whether to accept alternative evidence. The bill also requires people voting in person to show a photo ID indicating they're a U.S. citizen, and people voting by mail must include a copy of such ID with their ballot. States must actively work to remove non-citizens from voter rolls by checking databases from the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration. Election officials who register someone without proper citizenship documentation can face penalties. The bill requires states to implement these changes quickly, with the Election Assistance Commission providing guidance within 10 days of the law taking effect.

SAVE America Act

Lee, Mike

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.