The Ohio “SAVE Act” (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)

Understanding the SAVE Act's Impact on Your Right to Vote

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act represents a significant threat to voting rights in America. While proponents claim it addresses voter fraud, extensive research and court findings have consistently shown that non-citizen voting is vanishingly rare. Instead, the Act would create substantial barriers to voting for millions of eligible American citizens, particularly affecting naturalized citizens, married women who have changed their names, and voters who may not have immediate access to citizenship documents.

The Brennan Center for Justice and other voting rights experts have identified the SAVE Act as one of the most restrictive voting measures in congressional history. Their analysis shows it would dismantle successful voter registration methods like mail-in and online registration, while forcing problematic voter purges that have historically removed thousands of eligible voters from the rolls. In states that attempted similar measures in 2024, such as Alabama and Virginia, these purges erroneously targeted thousands of legitimate American voters.

Key Provisions of the SAVE Act

The SAVE Act would impose unprecedented restrictions on voter registration through several key provisions:

• Proof of Citizenship to Register: States must require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship from anyone registering to vote. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, birth certificate (with ID), military ID with proof of U.S. birthplace, government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birthplace, or naturalization/citizenship certificates.
• Removal of Non-Citizens from Rolls: Election officials would be required to remove non-citizens from voter registration lists by proactively vetting registration databases.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: New civil and criminal penalties would be imposed on officials who register an applicant without verifying the required documentation.
• Federal Guidance: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission would issue guidance to help states implement these requirements – though no federal funding would be provided.

Legislative Progress and Status

Introduced in the 118th Congress by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) with a companion Senate bill by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), the SAVE Act was passed in the U.S. House on July 10, 2024, by a largely party-line vote. However, the Senate did not take it up in 2024. In early 2025, with a changed political landscape, the bill was reintroduced as H.R. 22 and is now moving through Congress with renewed momentum.

Sponsors and Political Affiliations

The SAVE Act has been a largely partisan initiative backed by Republicans at both federal and state levels. Federal sponsors include Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee, with strong support coming from Republican lawmakers in Ohio as well. In contrast, Democrats and various civil rights groups oppose the bill, arguing it may disenfranchise eligible voters.

Potential Impact on Voters and Stakeholders

If enacted, the SAVE Act could significantly change voter registration procedures by requiring all registrants to produce specific citizenship documents. This may place a heavy burden on many eligible voters and local election officials. To learn how to obtain the necessary documentation and protect your right to vote, visit our passport application guide.

Important Notice: Under the new SAVE Act rules, voters must provide updated documentation to verify their citizenship. This requirement is especially challenging for married women who have taken their spouse’s last name—if their supporting documents (such as birth certificates or previous passports) do not reflect their current name, they risk being denied registration. To avoid these issues and protect your right to vote, maintaining an up‑to‑date U.S. passport is strongly recommended.

Perspectives: Supporters vs. Opponents

Arguments in Support

• Ensuring Only Citizens Vote: Proponents claim the Act is a common‐sense measure to safeguard elections by ensuring that only eligible American citizens are on the voter rolls.
• Closing Loopholes: Supporters argue that by enforcing strict documentation, the Act will bolster public confidence in election outcomes.

Arguments in Opposition

• A Solution in Search of a Problem: Critics note that non-citizen voting in federal elections is already illegal and that documented cases of fraud are extremely rare.
• Barriers to Registration: Opponents warn that the new requirements could inadvertently disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly those with limited access to the required documents.
• Administrative and Legal Challenges: The added burden on local election officials may lead to errors, wrongful purges, and legal liabilities.