SAVE Act information

Factually ^ | Feb 5th 2026 | Factually

[WildHighlander57]

Executive summary

The SAVE Act would force applicants to present “documentary proof of United States citizenship” at registration and the bill explicitly lists acceptable documents including REAL ID-compliant state IDs that indicate U.S. citizenship, U.S. passports, birth certificates, and certificates of naturalization or citizenship (Congress text) [1] [2]. Advocates say these documents close a perceived verification gap, while critics warn the list excludes common IDs like standard driver’s licenses and would block millions who lack those specific papers (Campaign Legal Center; Brennan Center) [3] [4].

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TOPICS: Reference
KEYWORDS: elections; saveact; voting

[WildHighlander57]

Note that this section of the article answers the questions about people who have changed their name from that on their birth certificate:

3. How the bill handles name mismatches and supplemental linking documents

The SAVE Act and supporters acknowledge scenarios where a birth certificate and current photo ID show different names; the law directs states to establish processes for accepting supplemental documents (for example, a marriage certificate) that link names and establish identity, though implementation details would be left to state systems and guidance (WHYY) [6].

And here is the link to the footnote 6:

https://whyy.org/articles/save-act-gop-voter-registation-citizenship-proof/

[DesertRhino]

The importation thing to know about it is that if the Republican Congress wanted the SAVE act, they would have passed it in the last 13 months. Now they are going to do PR and pass some watered down version.

They think elections are just fine. After all, it elected them, didn’t it?

[Pete Dovgan]

Does the SAVE act address people who are registered to vote multiple times in different counties, states, or who live outside of the United States?

https://www.facebook.com/RedStateBlog/posts/yes-a-pakistani-citizen-living-in-pakistan-voted-in-cas-2020-election-heres-the-/1335088845319621/

[Leaning Right]

I doubt if even a decent watered-down version will pass. Democrats in the Senate will threaten a filibuster. Then the whole thing will collapse.

Today’s Democrats have fire in the belly.
Most Republicans, not so much.

[Bon of Babble]

...while critics warn the list excludes common IDs like standard driver’s licenses and would block millions who lack those specific papers

This is the most specious, stupid argument to defend no ID to vote.

You need ID to do almost anything in the US - including attend Democrat events:

"Democratic campaign events and conventions have required photo ID for entry, despite many Democratic leaders opposing similar requirements for voting in federal elections."

[ClearCase_guy]

Fetterman is a Democrat, and he wants the SAVE Act.
Thune is a Republican. He ain’t passing that SAVE Act.

[WildHighlander57]

There may already be a system in place to check if someone is already registered to vote in another county or state.

If not, that should be implemented, and may take infrastructure (computer databases, etc) to be put in place.

As to the voting from outside the US by a noncitizen, via computer, mentioned in that RedState article, that also should be addressed; it should not be allowed.

The SAVE Act addresses voter registration, to be done in person.

And it does have provisions for disabled people.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Let's say you're a Somalian and you got into this country courtesy of Tim Walz. You used the Minnesota driver's license they handed you when you got off the plane to register for the 2022 elections.

Would you have to re-register with Real ID for future elections if the SAVE Act is passed?

[bobbo666]

Note that DNC absolutely must be able to use common drivers licenses as those were issued to illegals upon application. Known illegals, get license. Newscum endorsed this.
Of course, at same time their non-existent home address was used whenthey were registered to vote.

[AZJeep]

Even if you lost it, you can get copy of your birth certificate, Drivers license or ID card.
BTW, my blind coworker got himself an ID, so he could fly.
It looks just like Drivers license, there is just some text like “does not authorized for driving”.
Everybody can get this!

[factmart]

Correct

[WildHighlander57]

If the Real ID was obtained using proof of US citizenship; in the Somalian case, they’d need a naturalization certificate.

[WildHighlander57]

That’s why the CA voter rolls (and other states’ rolls) have to be gone through and ineligible voters taken off.

[WildHighlander57]

AZJeep wrote:

“
Even if you lost it, you can get copy of your birth certificate, Drivers license or ID card.
BTW, my blind coworker got himself an ID, so he could fly.
It looks just like Drivers license, there is just some text like “does not authorized for driving”.
Everybody can get this!
“

The Repubs should take the wind out of the Dems sails by using the section j 2 B pages 14 and 15 of the SAVE Act (which tells the states to set up a process for applicants to provide additional documents to prove citizenship) and say that nothing says that that process cannot include reimbursement for people needing copies of their documents proving citizenship (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees and court ordered name changes) which they may not have a certified copy of.