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S. 3752: Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act

This bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE America Act, aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring proof of United States citizenship to register to vote in elections for federal office. Here is a breakdown of its main provisions:

Proof of Citizenship Requirements

To register to vote, individuals must present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable forms of proof may include:

A valid U.S. passport
Identification issued under the REAL ID Act indicating U.S. citizenship
A military ID with a U.S. birthplace record
A valid government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birthplace
A certified birth certificate that meets specific criteria
A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship
Other specified documents that establish citizenship

Revision to Registration Processes

States must modify their voter registration processes to ensure that they do not accept applications from individuals who do not provide the required proof of citizenship. This extends to various methods of voter registration, including applications for motor vehicle driver’s licenses and national mail voter registration forms.

Notification and Accessibility

The bill mandates that election officials notify applicants about the requirement for citizenship proof when they submit their voter registration applications. States must make reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities in meeting these requirements.

Removal of Non-Citizens from Voter Rolls

If a State receives information indicating that an individual is not a U.S. citizen, that person must be removed from the official list of eligible voters for federal elections. States are required to take affirmative steps to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote.

Voting Requirements

In addition to proof of citizenship for registration, individuals will be required to present an eligible photo identification when voting in federal elections, whether in-person or absentee. The identification must include a photo of the individual and indicate that they are a U.S. citizen.

Criminal Penalties and Accountability

The bill establishes penalties for election officials who register individuals without the proper proof of U.S. citizenship, as well as for others providing material assistance to noncitizens in attempting to register to vote.

Other Provisions

The bill also includes various provisions for the administration of voter registrations, including guidelines for establishing processes for individuals who cannot provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration, thus allowing for temporary measures under certain circumstances.