What is the Save Act? The law explained - what it does and why it matters

The SAVE Act stands for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a bill in Congress. The law could make it harder for millions of Americans to register and vote by creating new rules. Documentation barriers: People would need extra documents, like a passport or birth certificate, to register.

Driver’s licenses alone would not be enough. 21 million Americans might not have the extra documents required. People most affected include people of color, married people who changed their name, young people, and elderly people, as per the report by CLC. Married people who changed their name may not have a birth certificate showing their current name.

Who will struggle to register

Even existing voters would need extra documents if they update their registration, like changing address or political party. Mail and online registration could be affected: in 2022, 7 million used mail and 11 million used online registration. The SAVE Act would limit these options.


The bill would require states to conduct frequent voter purges, removing people from voter rolls based on faulty data. Current laws already prevent non-citizens from voting, with penalties like deportation, so purges are unnecessary. Enforcing the SAVE Act could wrongly remove citizens from voter rolls, as has happened with past purges, as cited by CLC.

Election workers could face jail

Election workers could face up to five years in prison if they help someone register without the “correct documents,” even if the voter is a citizen. The SAVE Act is seen as silencing voters, instead of making elections fair and accessible. CLC says the law forces unnecessary hurdles that could stop people from voting, even though election security laws already exist.

FAQs

Q1. What is the SAVE Act?

The SAVE Act is a law in Congress that could make voter registration harder by requiring extra documents.

Q2. Who is affected by the SAVE Act?

Millions of Americans, including young people, elderly, married people who changed names, and people of color, could face problems registering to vote.