A contentious new voting regulation is set to be put to the test on the week of July 15, as House Democrats prepare to take a stand against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The legislation, championed by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), aims to bolster national election security by mandating proof of American citizenship for voter registration applicants.
According to the bill, state election officials will be required to request documentation proving applicants’ citizenship, which can take the form of a passport or birth certificate. Once this evidence is provided, election officials will only be permitted to register the applicants to vote in federal elections.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emphasizes the importance of safeguarding election integrity, arguing that non-citizen voting poses a significant threat. However, House Democrats appear poised to mount a fierce resistance, with Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) urging Democrats to reject the SAVE Act.
Clark’s efforts are focused on applying pressure to Democrats representing swing districts that supported former President Donald Trump and face uphill reelection battles. A recent YouGov poll underscores the political relevance of the issue, revealing that 65% of Americans support requiring proof of citizenship to vote, including a significant proportion of Democrats, swing voters, and Republicans. Less than 25% of respondents opposed this measure.
