Senate rejects election bill requiring citizenship proof for voter registration

The Senate defeated the SAVE America Act on Thursday when it was offered as an amendment to an immigration funding package. The bill had passed the House in February on a near party-line vote. It would have required voters to present a document proving U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, at registration and to show photo identification when casting ballots.

Background and provisions The legislation would have taken effect immediately while congressional primaries were underway. It also would have required states to submit voter lists to a Department of Homeland Security database that has been found to flag some U.S. citizens in error.

Research cited in the coverage indicates millions of Americans lack easy access to citizenship documents. A Georgetown law professor stated the alleged problem occurs so infrequently that the proposed requirements would be more burdensome than necessary.

Legislative path and statements The bill had remained in the Senate for months after House passage. President Trump had called for its passage ahead of other legislation and said Democrats opposed it because they want to cheat. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated there were not enough votes among Republican colleagues to end the filibuster and force consideration.

The measure's failure leaves voting procedures under existing state and federal rules.