The U.S. House recently approved legislation requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone registering to vote, a move that has raised concerns from voting rights groups about potential disenfranchisement of millions of Americans. Despite the rarity of noncitizen voting, the bill is backed by President Donald Trump and House Republicans who argue that the requirement is necessary to address instances of illegal voting by noncitizens. It is important to note that it is already illegal for noncitizens to cast ballots, with penalties including felony charges and deportation.
The bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, was passed by the U.S. House and now faces uncertainty in the Senate due to slim Republican numbers that could lead to a filibuster. The legislation would impact all voter registration applications if it becomes law, although there are conflicting views on how it would affect registered voters who need to update their information due to changes in residence or other personal details. The bill’s author, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, has highlighted the need to shift towards a citizenship-based registration system over time.
The SAVE Act requires applicants to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, with accepted documents including REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, military ID cards, and government-issued photo IDs that demonstrate birth in the U.S. However, concerns have been raised about access to required documents for certain groups, such as individuals without easy access to birth certificates or passports, and women who have had name changes post-marriage. The legislation does include provisions for accepting supplemental documents like marriage certificates to establish a connection between birth certificates and IDs.
Questions have been raised about the practical aspects of submitting documents for voter registration under the proposed law. The legislation states that applicants submitting the federal voter registration form by mail must present proof of U.S. citizenship in person to their local election office by a state-set deadline. Voting rights groups have expressed concerns regarding the potential barriers this could pose for individuals residing in rural areas with limited access to election offices. States are directed to ensure reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and same-day voter registration procedures under the SAVE Act.
Republicans have argued that any instance of voting by noncitizens, regardless of its rarity, undermines the integrity of U.S. elections and necessitates measures like the SAVE Act. Democrats, on the other hand, contend that voting by noncitizens is already prohibited, with penalties in place for violators. They suggest that the focus should be on improving state mechanisms to identify and remove noncitizens from voter lists, rather than imposing a universal proof of citizenship requirement. Instances of noncitizen voting have been reported in states like Michigan, with a small number of cases identified out of millions of ballots cast.
The debate around the proof of citizenship requirement for voting centers on issues of accessibility, documentation, and the impact on voter registration processes. While supporters argue that it is necessary to safeguard the integrity of elections, opponents raise concerns about potential disenfranchisement and practical challenges for certain groups of voters. It remains to be seen how the SAVE Act will be received in the Senate and what adjustments may be made to address various issues raised by stakeholders in the debate over voting rights and citizenship verification.
