Why the SAVE Act matters

by Gregory Thayer

In the United States, the right to vote is sacred—but it is not unlimited. From the founding of our great Republic to the present day, voting in Federal elections has been guaranteed for legal citizens of the United States. That principle is neither controversial nor partisan. It is foundational. The “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” (SAVE) Act simply reinforces that long-standing rule by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in Federal elections. Far from undermining democracy, this legislation strengthens it.

Under current federal law, individuals registering to vote are generally required only to check a box affirming—under penalty of perjury—that they are U.S. citizens. No document proof is required at the point of registration. Supporters of the status quo argue that existing safeguards are sufficient. But Americans are increasingly skeptical. When elections are decided by razor-thin margins, even the perception of vulnerability can erode public trust. The SAVE Act addresses this concern directly by closing a clear and obvious gap in the system.

Critics of the SAVE Act often claim that requiring proof of citizenship amounts to “voter suppression.” That argument does not withstand scrutiny. Proof of citizenship is required for countless routine activities in American life: obtaining a passport, securing certain government benefits, serving on a jury, or holding many public offices. Asking voters to meet the same standard for participating in Federal elections is neither extreme nor discriminatory—it is common- sense.

Moreover, the SAVE Act does not change who is eligible to vote. It does not disenfranchise citizens. It simply requires that eligibility be verified in a meaningful way. Citizenship is a legal status, not a feeling or an intention. A system that relies solely on self-attestation invites mistakes, misunderstandings, and abuse—especially in an era of mass migration and strained administrative systems.

Another common objection is that non-citizen voting is “rare” and therefore not worth addressing. But laws are not written only to address frequent violations; they exist to set clear rules and enforceable standards. We do not eliminate ID requirements at airports because most passengers are law-abiding. We do not repeal tax laws because most people pay their taxes. Election laws deserve the same seriousness and respect.

Just as important, election integrity is inseparable from public confidence. When large portions of the electorate believe elections are insecure—or that basic eligibility rules are not enforced—faith in democratic outcomes declines. This skepticism does not disappear when it is dismissed or ridiculed; it hardens. The SAVE Act offers a constructive response: not rhetoric, not finger-pointing, but a concrete policy that reassures voters that the system is fair and lawful.

Additionally, the SAVE Act does not Federalize elections beyond citizenship verification. It does not dictate how states conduct voting or count ballots. It does not prevent lawful voters from registering, nor does it target any racial or ethnic group. Citizenship is a neutral legal standard that applies equally to everyone.

At its core, the debate over the SAVE Act is about boundaries. A nation without borders is not a nation, and a democracy without clear voter eligibility rules is not a democracy. Citizenship carries privileges and responsibilities, and voting in federal elections is among the most consequential of them. Diluting that standard—whether intentionally or through neglect—undermines the value of citizenship itself.

The United States has welcomed generations of immigrants who followed the legal path to citizenship, embracing both the rights and duties that come with it. For those who are not yet citizens, there are many ways to participate in civic life—but voting in a Federal election is not one of them. There are distinction that are not exclusionary; they are essential.

The SAVE Act codifies and affirms a basic truth: American elections belong to us legal American citizens. By requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, Congress can strengthen election integrity, restore public trust, and reaffirm a principle that should unite—not divide—the country. Supporting the SAVE Act is not about fear or partisanship. It is about protecting the legitimacy of the democratic process itself.