Dusty Johnson Votes for SAVE Act, Restricting Voter Access

The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship to vote, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on a party-line vote, with Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota proudly supporting the legislation. The SAVE Act would mandate proof of citizenship to vote in the upcoming midterm elections and require states to turn over voter data to the federal government, which critics argue is a violation of states' rights.

Why it matters

The SAVE Act would make it significantly more difficult for millions of American adults who lack government-issued photo IDs to exercise their right to vote, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups like low-income individuals, young people, women who have changed their surnames, and Native Americans in South Dakota. This raises concerns about voter suppression and the erosion of democratic principles.

The details

The SAVE Act was passed by the House on a 218-213 party-line vote, with only one Democrat supporting the legislation. It would require proof of citizenship to vote in the upcoming midterm elections and force states to turn over their voter data to the federal government, which some argue is a violation of the Tenth Amendment. Proponents claim the law is necessary to address non-citizen voting, despite a lack of evidence that this is a widespread issue.

  • The SAVE Act was passed by the House on February 16, 2026.
  • The midterm elections that would be impacted by the SAVE Act are scheduled for November 2026.

The players

Dusty Johnson

A Republican U.S. Representative from South Dakota who proudly voted in favor of the SAVE Act.

LaMonica McIver

A first-term Democratic U.S. Representative from Newark, New Jersey, who was charged with three felony counts of assaulting federal agents after attempting to visit a federal immigration detention center with other lawmakers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It is fair to assert that Dusty Johnson voted to disenfranchise about 10 percent of his constituents at a time when he is participating in a hot contest for governor.”

— Jay Davis, Retired lawyer and regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard (The South Dakota Standard)

What’s next

The SAVE Act will now move to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. If passed, the law would take effect in time for the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

The SAVE Act represents a concerning effort to restrict voting rights and access to the ballot box, particularly for marginalized communities. This legislation raises questions about the erosion of democratic principles and the potential for voter suppression in the upcoming elections.