Democrats Rally Against GOP-Backed Voter Citizenship Proof Bill
House Democrats are scrambling to oppose a new Republican-backed bill that seeks to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voting in federal elections. This legislative push comes as election laws face intense scrutiny and concerns rise about illegal immigration under President Joe Biden’s administration.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is set for a House vote next week. The bill mandates that voters present “documentary proof of United States citizenship” to cast ballots in federal elections. Acceptable documents include a photo ID indicating U.S. birth, a passport, or a birth certificate.
Furthermore, the legislation calls for the removal of all non-citizens from voter registration lists. It directs election officials to request proof of citizenship from voter registration applicants and inform them of the legal consequences of non-compliance.
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark is leading the Democratic charge against the bill. Her office has urged Democrats to “VOTE NO,” contending that the bill would restrict Americans from registering to vote with only their driver’s license and would make a passport the “only acceptable standalone form of identification.”
The SAVE Act outlines acceptable identification forms, such as passports, military IDs, federal or state government-issued IDs paired with birth certificates, among others. Despite these provisions, Clark’s office claims the bill would impose an “extreme burden for countless Americans” and “further intimidate election officials and overburden states’ abilities to enroll new voters.”
Republicans argue that proof of citizenship is essential to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson has championed the SAVE Act, stating it will “safeguard our elections by ensuring only American citizens vote in federal elections.” Johnson’s office released a comprehensive 22-page report supporting the bill, noting a loophole in existing laws where voters can merely attest to their citizenship instead of providing direct evidence.
The upcoming vote on the SAVE Act has intensified the debate over election integrity and voter accessibility, with both parties preparing for a contentious battle in the House.