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H.R. 7296: Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act

This bill, titled the "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act," aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by introducing new requirements for individuals registering to vote in federal elections. The main objectives of the bill include:

Proof of Citizenship Requirement

The bill requires that all applicants for voter registration must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship at the time of registration. The types of acceptable documents include:

A form of identification issued under the REAL ID Act of 2005 that proves citizenship.
A valid U.S. passport.
Official military identification along with military service records showing U.S. birthplace.
A government-issued photo ID from federal, state, or tribal governments.
Working in combination with one or more of the following:
- A certified birth certificate.
- A hospital record of birth from the U.S.
- A final adoption decree indicating U.S. birthplace.
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
- A Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
- An American Indian Card.

State Registration Procedures

States will not be able to accept voter registration applications from individuals who do not provide proof of citizenship. This applies irrespective of the method used for registering to vote. Furthermore, any applications that do not meet this requirement will not be processed.

Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Applications

The bill amends provisions regarding voter registration associated with motor vehicle driver’s licenses, stipulating that states must confirm citizenship as part of the application process for a driver’s license, which could also serve as a method for voter registration.

Mail Voter Registration

The existing national mail voter registration form will also be updated to include a requirement for applicants to provide proof of citizenship. Election officials are instructed to notify applicants about this requirement and provide guidance on how to fulfill it.

Voter Registration Agencies

Agencies responsible for managing voter registration must ensure that applicants provide proof of citizenship. They will also be required to ask applicants if they are citizens and confirm their citizenship status.

Election Officials' Responsibilities

Election officials are mandated to verify the citizenship of registrants and maintain updated lists of eligible voters. They are also responsible for removing individuals from the voting rolls if it is determined that they are not U.S. citizens.

Provisional Ballots

The bill specifies that individuals who meet the citizenship requirement and present necessary documentation should still be allowed to cast provisional ballots in elections.

Authority to Investigate Non-Citizen Registrations

The bill also allows states to establish processes for investigating and potentially removing non-citizen registrations, using various databases to assist in confirming citizenship status.

Criminal Penalties

New criminal penalties are introduced for individuals who knowingly provide false information regarding their citizenship status during the registration process.

Guidance and Implementation

The Election Assistance Commission is required to issue guidance on these new voter registration requirements within 10 days after the bill's enactment. The bill also states that states not requiring voter registration must establish a system for confirming voter citizenship status prior to voting in federal elections.

Effective Date of the Bill

The provisions of this bill will take effect immediately upon enactment and will apply to all voter registration applications submitted after the date of enactment.