U.S. lawmakers have introduced multiple versions of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — a Republican-backed bill aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in elections by requiring proof of citizenship.
A modified version, initially introduced in early 2025 as a Veterans Affairs bill but now better known as the SAVE America Act, stalled in the Senate after passing the House. As of July 2026, the risk of a government shutdown loomed over Democrats' opposition to Republican lawmakers attempting to push the act through with a broader budget bill.
If passed, the SAVE America Act would require voters to provide proof of citizenship such as a valid passport or a REAL ID-compliant identification card that indicates citizenship (as of this writing, these ID cards are only available in five states) to register to vote as well as photo ID to cast a ballot. Snopes has explored claims that the bill could disenfranchise voters and affect voter turnout, especially for people who have changed their name, such as some married women and other groups. Read the stories below.
