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New Bill Could Require Voter ID in States Without It
The 'SAVE Act' would mandate proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote, impacting millions of Americans.
Feb. 26, 2026 at 9:47am
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Months ahead of the midterm elections, Congress is considering the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require Americans to prove their citizenship when registering to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate. The bill would also mandate a valid photo ID before voters can cast ballots, which some states already demand. Republicans say the legislation is needed to prevent voter fraud, but Democrats warn it will disenfranchise millions by making it harder to vote.
Why it matters
The SAVE Act could have a significant impact on voting access, especially in the 12 states and D.C. that currently allow voting without any documentation under certain circumstances. Voting experts warn that over 20 million U.S. citizens of voting age do not have readily available proof of citizenship, and almost half of Americans lack a U.S. passport.
The details
The new legislation would require additional documentation like a passport or birth certificate for a voter to become registered, going beyond just a driver's license or state ID and Social Security number. It would also require states to share voter information with the Department of Homeland Security to verify citizenship. Election officials have raised concerns that the sudden changes could be difficult to implement and potentially confuse voters, especially with primaries starting next month.
- The House passed the SAVE Act last week, sending it to the Senate.
- If the SAVE Act doesn't pass, President Trump has said he would issue an executive order to enact stricter voter ID rules.
The players
SAVE Act
A bill that would require Americans to prove their citizenship when registering to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate, and mandate a valid photo ID before voting.
Karen Brinson Bell
An elections expert at Advance Elections, a nonpartisan consulting firm, who said the SAVE Act adds numerous requirements for state and local election officials with no additional funding.
What they’re saying
“Election officials have a simple request of Congress — that you help share their burdens not add to them.”
— Karen Brinson Bell, Elections Expert, Advance Elections
What’s next
If the SAVE Act passes the Senate, it would then go to President Biden to be signed into law. However, the bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it could face a tough fight from Democrats.
The takeaway
The SAVE Act highlights the ongoing debate over voter ID laws and their potential impact on voting access, especially for marginalized communities. Its passage could make it significantly harder for millions of Americans to cast their ballots, raising concerns about the integrity of future elections.
