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119-s-3752119th Congress

SAVE America Act

Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]

Introduced

Summary

Would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and a tangible photo ID to register and vote in federal elections. It would create a nationwide verification system using DHS SAVE, Social Security Administration checks, and state DMV and other databases and would expand removal rules, private lawsuits, and criminal penalties for registration violations.

Show full summary
  • Voters and registrants: People seeking to register for federal office would need to present listed documents such as a U.S. passport, REAL ID showing citizenship, naturalization certificate, or certified birth records. Those without documents could use a uniform affidavit under penalty of perjury as an alternative.
  • State and election agencies: Motor vehicle agencies and voter registration offices would have to collect and verify documentary proof and regularly cross-check SAVE, SSA, and state records. Federal departments would be required to provide verification data on request and, where practicable, within 24 hours to support verification.
  • Voting process and enforcement: In-person voters would need a tangible photo ID and absentee voters would include an ID copy with requests and ballots. The bill would add a mechanism to remove registrants verified as noncitizens and broaden private rights of action and criminal penalties for assisting improper registration.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

New photo ID rules for voters

If enacted, this bill would require a physical photo ID to vote in any federal election. For in-person voting the ID must be a tangible document shown at the polling place. For absentee voting you would need to attach a copy of an eligible photo ID both when requesting the ballot and when returning it. The ID must show a photo, a front-facing U.S. citizenship mark, and either an issuer ID number or your last four Social Security digits, though some states that used DHS SAVE quarterly since June 1, 2025 are exempt from the citizenship-mark rule.

Show citizenship to register

If enacted, the bill would make documentary proof of U.S. citizenship a required part of any federal voter registration application. The bill lists acceptable documents (for example, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, certified birth records, certain military IDs) and lets someone without papers sign a uniform affidavit under penalty of perjury as an alternative. States would have to update motor vehicle forms and election materials, and the Election Assistance Commission must issue guidance within 10 days after enactment. The Department of Homeland Security would also be required to tell election officials when it learns someone has become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Stronger penalties for registration violations

If enacted, the bill would expand criminal penalties and private lawsuits tied to improper voter registration and aiding noncitizens. It would reach people who materially help a noncitizen try to register or vote and officials who register applicants who do not show required documentary proof. The change increases legal exposure for election workers and some federal employees.

Limits on using voter registration info

If enacted, the bill would bar most uses of voter registration information as evidence. An exception would allow use in criminal or immigration cases where an applicant knowingly lies under penalty of perjury about eligibility. This narrows how registration data can be used against registrants in most other situations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lee, Mike [R-UT]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Sen. Graham, Darline [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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