SAVE America Act
Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced
Summary
documentary proof of U.S. citizenship would be required for anyone registering to vote in federal elections, and the bill would create a federal verification and data‑sharing system to confirm eligibility.
Show full summary
- Prospective voters would need to present listed documents such as a U.S. passport, REAL ID‑type ID showing citizenship, a birth certificate, or naturalization papers, or use an attested affidavit while verification finishes.
- State motor vehicle and voter registration agencies would have to collect and verify citizenship before completing registrations and join a verification program using DHS's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), the Social Security Administration's SSN Verification Service, and state ID records.
- The bill would authorize removal of registrants shown not to be citizens, expand criminal penalties and create a private right of action, and preserve counting of provisional ballots when later verification confirms citizenship.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
New ID and proof to vote
If enacted, you would have to show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. You would need to present an eligible photo ID in person to vote, and include a copy of that ID with both an absentee ballot request and the returned absentee ballot. The federal mail registration form would explain which documents count, and you would have to present proof in person by your State's registration deadline or at the polling place on election day in same-day states. States that have submitted voter lists to DHS through SAVE at least quarterly since June 1, 2025 and mark records could use SAVE instead of the photo ID rule.
New federal-state citizenship verification
If enacted, each State would have 30 days to set up a program to find noncitizens on voter rolls using DHS SAVE, Social Security records, state ID records, and other databases. Federal agencies would have to share relevant citizenship information with State election officials and reply to requests within 24 hours, with DHS allowed to use SAVE and to notify officials when someone naturalizes. Agencies could not charge fees for responding, and DHS would investigate alleged unlawful registrations and may seek immigration removal proceedings.
Sworn attestations and provisional ballots
If enacted, States would have to allow people who cannot present listed documentary proof to sign a sworn attestation under penalty of perjury and submit other evidence for officials to consider. A State or local official could register the applicant using a uniform affidavit the Election Assistance Commission develops and must explain the factual basis for that decision. You could cast a provisional ballot, and it could be counted if you are later verified as a U.S. citizen under the new verification procedures.
Criminal penalties and private lawsuits
If enacted, the bill would make it a crime for federal officers or employees to give material help to a noncitizen trying to register or vote in a federal election. It would also criminalize registering someone who fails to present the required documentary proof of citizenship. Private parties would be able to sue election officials who register applicants without that documentary proof.
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
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Ron Johnson
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
Bill Hagerty
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
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
John Boozman
AR • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ND • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
John Hoeven
ND • R
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Markwayne Mullin
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
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
SD • R
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov