S.1383 — Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
House Roll Call
S.1383
| Bill | S.1383 — Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Passage |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Passed |
| Totals | Yea 218 / Nay 213 / Present 0 / Not Voting 1 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 217 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| D | 1 | 213 | 0 | 0 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Passage
Bill Analysis
S. 1383 – Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act)
119th Congress
S. 1383 amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and related federal election statutes to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and to tighten verification, data-sharing, and enforcement mechanisms against noncitizen voting.
Core provisions
- Citizenship documentation requirement: Applicants for voter registration in federal elections must provide specified documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certain tribal documents). States may not register an individual for federal elections without such proof.
- State verification duties: States must verify citizenship status using available federal and state databases (e.g., DHS, SSA, state vital records) and are authorized—and in some cases required—to enter data-sharing agreements for this purpose.
- List maintenance and removal: States must identify and remove noncitizens from federal voter rolls following specified notice and due-process procedures. Periodic checks of registration lists against immigration and other status data are mandated.
- Prohibition on noncitizen voting: Reinforces that only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections, preempting any contrary state or local provisions as to federal contests.
- Criminal and civil penalties: Enhances or clarifies penalties for:
- Knowingly registering or attempting to register as a noncitizen for federal elections.
- Knowingly assisting or facilitating noncitizen registration or voting.
- Failure of election officials to carry out required verification and list-maintenance duties (subject to enforcement by DOJ and private suits under NVRA-style mechanisms).
Agencies and programs affected
- State election officials must redesign registration forms, procedures, and database workflows.
- Department of Justice gains explicit enforcement authority and litigation responsibilities.
- DHS and SSA must support verification through interagency data access and agreements.
Beneficiaries and regulated parties
- Regulated: State and local election officials, noncitizens present in the U.S., and individuals/organizations involved in voter registration.
- Beneficiaries: Federal election administrators seeking uniform standards; citizens whose eligibility is affirmed; federal enforcement agencies.
Timelines
- The bill sets implementation deadlines (e.g., new documentation and verification requirements effective for federal elections occurring after a specified number of months post-enactment), with transitional provisions for existing registrants and for states to establish data-sharing and verification systems.
Yea (218)
K
Ken Calvert
S
Scott Franklin
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
Nay (213)
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
C
Christian Menefee
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
