Four Democratic representatives break ranks to support citizenship verification for voters, drawing both praise for protecting election integrity and criticism for potentially disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.
At a Glance
- The House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with a 220-208 vote, requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
- Four Democrats—Jared Golden (ME), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), Henry Cuellar (TX), and Ed Case (HI)—joined Republicans in supporting the measure
- The bill would require documents like passports, military IDs, or REAL ID-compliant identification to register to vote
- Critics warn the measure could disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly women who have changed their names after marriage
- The bill faces uncertain prospects in the Senate, where it would need Democratic support to overcome the 60-vote threshold
Bipartisan Support for Citizenship Verification
The House of Representatives recently passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in a 220-208 vote, with four Democratic representatives breaking party lines to support the Republican-led measure. Representatives Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Henry Cuellar of Texas, and Ed Case of Hawaii joined Republicans in backing the bill, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
The legislation mandates that states remove undocumented immigrants from voter rolls and permits citizens to sue election officials who fail to comply with the proof-of-citizenship requirements.
The SAVE Act would require voters to present specific documentation when registering to vote, including a U.S. passport, military ID, or REAL ID-compliant identification indicating citizenship status. Additional acceptable documents include a government-issued ID with a birth certificate or hospital record. The bill would also require in-person proof of citizenship for voter registration changes, including those submitted by mail, creating a more rigorous verification process than currently exists in most states.
— Rep. Mark Alford (@RepMarkAlford) April 11, 2025
Democratic Support and Reasoning
Representative Jared Golden of Maine defended his vote for the SAVE Act amid criticism from fellow Democrats. “There are a lot of misleading claims out there about the SAVE Act. Let me set the record straight: I voted for the SAVE Act for the simple reason that American elections are for Americans. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is common sense,” Golden stated, highlighting his belief that the measure strengthens election integrity rather than suppresses voters as critics suggest.
“There are a lot of misleading claims out there about the SAVE Act. Let me set the record straight: I voted for the SAVE Act for the simple reason that American elections are for Americans. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is common sense,” said Jared Golden.
The four Democrats who supported the bill represent a minority within their party, which overwhelmingly opposed the measure. Their willingness to cross party lines on this issue has made them stand out, with some conservative commentators suggesting they deserve recognition for political courage.
The representatives appear to have prioritized what they view as election security concerns over party unity, demonstrating a break from the partisan polarization that often characterizes congressional voting patterns.
Great news. The SAVE Act will ensure election integrity by protecting our elections from illegal voters. This simple, common-sense reform garners broad support among Americans. I urge the U.S. Senate to pass it now. https://t.co/UnxzMPZEMa
— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) April 10, 2025
Concerns About Voter Disenfranchisement
Critics of the SAVE Act, including most Democratic lawmakers and voting rights organizations, have raised alarms about potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The American Civil Liberties Union has claimed the bill could threaten the voting rights of up to 69 million women who have changed their names. Representative Joe Morelle expressed strong opposition to the bill, stating it could disproportionately impact women, military members, and people of color who may face challenges in providing the required documentation.
An amendment proposed by Democrats to study the bill’s impact on married women who have changed their names was blocked by Republicans during the legislative process. Bill supporters, including lead sponsor Representative Chip Roy of Texas, counter that the legislation contains provisions addressing name changes and that updating voter registration after a name change is a straightforward process similar to updating other personal records like driver’s licenses and Social Security information.
Legislative Outlook
Despite passing the House, the SAVE Act faces significant obstacles in the Senate, where it would need to secure 60 votes to overcome potential filibuster challenges. Senate Republicans, led by Mike Lee of Utah, have introduced a companion bill with 20 Republican co-sponsors, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to block the legislation, calling it a “power grab.” The SAVE Act previously passed the House in 2024 but failed to advance in the Senate due to similar partisan divisions.
Supporters of the bill argue that it addresses legitimate concerns about election integrity, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott claiming his state removed 6,500 noncitizens from voter rolls. Critics dispute these figures and note that noncitizen voting in federal elections is already illegal and rare, with existing laws requiring voters to swear citizenship under penalty of perjury. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between making voting accessible while maintaining election security—a balance that continues to divide lawmakers along largely partisan lines.
