Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act)

Executive Summary: 

Note, this article does not summarize the entire SAVE Act. This article is meant to summarize the main points related to required identification. A future article will summarize the entire SAVE Act. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. The Act outlines acceptable documents for proof, mandates verification processes by state officials, and imposes penalties for noncompliance.

Key Provisions Related to Identification:

Proof of Citizenship Requirements (Section 2(a)):

This section amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to define "documentary proof of United States citizenship" as any of the following documents provided by a voter registration applicant:

• REAL ID-Compliant Identification:
  A form of identification issued under the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 that explicitly states the applicant is a U.S. citizen. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 2).

• Valid U.S. Passport:
  A currently valid passport issued by the United States government. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 2).

• U.S. Military Identification:
  An official U.S. military ID card along with a military record of service showing that the applicant’s place of birth is within the United States. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 2-3).

• Government-Issued Photo ID with U.S. Birthplace:
  A photo identification card issued by a federal, state, or tribal government that indicates the applicant was born in the United States. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 3).

• Government-Issued Photo ID with Additional Documents:
  A photo ID issued by a federal, state, or tribal government that does not state the applicant's place of birth, but when presented with one of the following documents:

  • A certified birth certificate from the state, local government, or tribal government where the applicant was born, including details such as full name, date, and place of birth, parents’ names, official signature, date filed, and a government seal. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 3-4).
  • An extract from a U.S. hospital birth record created at the time of birth, indicating the applicant was born in the U.S. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 4).
  • A final adoption decree showing the applicant’s U.S. birthplace. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 4).
  • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Secretary of State. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 4).
  • A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the Department of Homeland Security, or any document proving citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Sec. 2(a), pg. 4-5).
  • An American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security with the classification "KIC." (Sec. 2(a), pg. 5).