SAVE America Act

Bill Number: H.R. 7296
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Last Updated: 2026-04-16T08:06:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act), H.R. 7296, aims to strengthen election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections and mandating photo identification for voting in those elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to prevent non-citizens from registering or voting, while providing processes for verification and accommodations.

Key Provisions

Definition of Documentary Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Specifies acceptable documents, including:
REAL ID-compliant identification showing U.S. citizenship.
Valid U.S. passport.
U.S. military ID with service record indicating U.S. birth.
Government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birth, or other photo IDs paired with items like certified birth certificates, hospital birth records, adoption decrees, naturalization certificates, or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
Voter Registration Requirements:
States cannot process federal election registration applications without documentary proof of citizenship.
Applies to all methods: in-person, motor vehicle driver's license applications, mail-in forms, and voter registration agencies.
For mail registration, applicants must present proof in person to election officials by the state's deadline or at polling places (including on election day or during early voting).
States must notify applicants of the proof requirement and provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
Alternative Processes for Proof Challenges:
Applicants without standard proof can submit an attestation (sworn statement) under penalty of perjury, plus other evidence; state officials determine eligibility and use a uniform affidavit developed by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
States must create processes to resolve discrepancies in documentation.
Ongoing Verification and Removal:
States must establish programs within 30 days of enactment to identify non-citizens using federal databases (e.g., DHS's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, Social Security Administration's verification service).
Federal agencies must respond to state requests for citizenship verification within 24 hours, share data, and prohibit fees; DHS must investigate and potentially initiate removal proceedings for non-citizens found registered.
States must remove non-citizens from voter rolls upon receiving proof or verified information.
DHS must notify state election officials promptly when individuals become naturalized citizens.
Photo Identification for Voting:
Voters in federal elections must present an "eligible photo ID" showing U.S. citizenship (e.g., driver's license, passport, military ID, tribal ID).
For in-person voting: Must be a physical document presented at the polls.
For absentee voting: A copy must accompany both the ballot request and submission.
Exceptions allow additional documents to verify citizenship if the ID lacks it; states using SAVE quarterly can rely on prior verifications for pre-existing registrations.
Enforcement and Forms:
Expands private right of action (ability to sue) for violations, including registering without proof.
Adds criminal penalties for officials aiding non-citizen registration or failing to require proof.
Updates the federal mail voter registration form to explain proof requirements and include a section for officials to record document details.
Exempts voter registration materials from the Paperwork Reduction Act (which limits federal paperwork burdens).
EAC must issue implementation guidance within 10 days of enactment.
Special Rules:
For states without voter registration: They must confirm citizenship before voting begins and provide verification at polls.
Does not affect provisional ballots (temporary ballots verified later) or state exemptions from other federal laws.
Effective Date: Applies to registrations and federal elections after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

From NVRA (1993): Previously relied on self-attestation of citizenship under penalty of perjury; now mandates documentary proof for all federal registrations, with no acceptance without it. Adds removal authority for non-citizens and federal data-sharing mandates.
From Help America Vote Act (2002): Replaces prior ID requirements with stricter photo ID rules indicating citizenship for federal voting.
Introduces new federal obligations for data access and notifications, shifting from optional to required verification processes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: State and local election offices face increased administrative burdens to verify documents, establish programs, and integrate with federal databases; EAC must develop affidavits and guidance quickly. Federal agencies (DHS, SSA, State Department) must provide rapid, fee-free data sharing and notifications, potentially straining resources but enhancing coordination.
On Citizens: Eligible U.S. citizens may face barriers to registration and voting if they lack required documents (e.g., rural residents, elderly, or low-income individuals without birth certificates), though alternatives and accommodations are provided. Could reduce non-citizen voting but risk disenfranchising some citizens during transitions.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced SAVE use and DHS investigations may indirectly affect immigration enforcement for non-citizens attempting to vote.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Citizens: Primary beneficiaries for ensuring secure elections, but potentially burdened by new proof requirements.
State and Local Election Officials: Responsible for implementation, verification, and compliance; must train staff and update systems.
Federal Agencies: EAC (guidance and forms), DHS (SAVE, naturalization notices, investigations), SSA (data verification), and others (information sharing).
Non-Citizens: Targeted for exclusion from voter rolls, with risks of immigration consequences if found registered.
Vulnerable Groups: People with disabilities (accommodations required), those in non-registration states, and individuals without easy document access (e.g., Native Americans, naturalized citizens).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Expands enforcement tools like private lawsuits and criminal penalties, potentially leading to more litigation over compliance. Rules of construction preserve provisional voting and state exemptions, avoiding conflicts with other laws like the Voting Rights Act (which protects against discriminatory practices).
Constitutional: Aligns with Article I and 14th/15th Amendment requirements for citizen voting in federal elections but could face challenges if seen as unduly burdening access (e.g., under equal protection or due process clauses). The perjury attestation and alternatives aim to balance security with accessibility.
Political: Focuses on election integrity by addressing non-citizen voting concerns, but the strict proof mandates may spark debates on voter suppression versus fraud prevention, influencing partisan discussions on voting rights.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]

Cosponsors (111)

Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2] and 61 more

Recent Actions

2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
2026-01-30: Introduced in House
2026-01-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (29 pages)