House Passes SAVE Act, Sparks Voting Rights Debate

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, would require individuals to present documentary proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, in person at election offices before registering to vote in federal elections. Supporters argue the measure is necessary to protect voting integrity, while critics warn it could disenfranchise many Americans, especially those who lack ready access to required documents—such as low-income, rural voters, and married women whose names may not match their birth certificates. The bill has sparked heated partisan debate, with all Senate Democrats vowing to block it and calling it a form of voter suppression reminiscent of past discriminatory practices. Voting rights advocates and some experts highlight that millions of Americans—particularly women and the economically disadvantaged—could face new barriers to voting if the bill becomes law. Meanwhile, several states are advancing or enacting similar proof-of-citizenship requirements, potentially amplifying the impact of such measures nationwide. The SAVE Act now faces steep opposition in the Senate but has already influenced state-level legislation.