What's in the SAVE Act and how would voters be impacted?

A major voting bill is under the microscope in Congress.

The Senate was set to debate the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, or SAVE America Act on Tuesday, March 17, and consider what could be a significant overhaul to voting procedure in the nation by requiring proof of citizenship upon registering to vote.

But the Senate's narrow Republican majority means it's not a guaranteed passage, so Republican leaders are weighing every strategy available while Democrats remain steadfast in their opposition. And President Donald Trump's allies are eager to please the president, who wants to pass the bill ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The president says he will sign the SAVE America Act into law despite the ongoing partial government shutdown.

As debate on Capitol Hill ensues, here's what is in the SAVE America Act and what it would mean for your vote.

What is the SAVE America Act?

The SAVE America Act, which passed the GOP-led House of Representatives on Feb. 11, was branded as an election security measure that would prevent noncitizens from voting, which is already illegal and exceedingly rare. In 2024, the American Immigration Council reported there were fewer than 70 proven cases of noncitizens who voted in elections in the last 40 years.

The bill has gone through many iterations with potentially more additions to come, but the current text sitting before the Senate orders that applicants who mail in their voter registration must also present proof of citizenship "in person" to be registered to vote in federal elections.

To cast a vote, the bill would require registered voters to present a form of approved photo identification (passport, driver's license) before receiving a ballot. If a voter is unable to present photo identification, they can submit a provisional ballot that would be counted if the voter can produce photo ID within three days.

The bill would also change mail-in voting procedure to require proof of U.S. citizenship when requesting and submitting a ballot.

The SAVE America Act also calls for states to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls as soon as officials are notified of it. And within 30 days of the bill's passage, states would be forced to submit their voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security, which would review the records for noncitizens.

What the SAVE America Act means for you

Voting rights advocates are concerned the SAVE America Act could substantially curb the rights of millions of Americans to cast ballots.

A concern is that voter registration will become more complicated and inaccessible. Moving, changing party affiliation or updating a name would mean a trip to the election office under the SAVE America Act, complete with the right paperwork. People in rural areas, and those with disabilities or without reliable access to transportation, would find it more difficult to appear in person to make these changes in compliance with the act. Voter registration drives meant to access marginalized populations would virtually disappear, further risking the disenfranchisement of these populations.

Further, the act requires the full name on your valid photo ID matches your birth certificate or naturalization card. This means the roughly 69 million American women who take their partner's last name after marriage would not have a birth certificate that reflects their current, legal name, and voting rights advocates previously told USA TODAY this could infringe on the constitutional right to vote.

The Trump administration has downplayed concerns for married women, but Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States, previously told USA TODAY the SAVE Act's ambiguous language raises concerns for confusion and disparate enforcement.

What will happen in the Senate?

On party lines, the Senate doesn't have the votes it needs needs to pass the SAVE Act: The chamber's 53 Republicans need 60 votes to get it done, but Senate Democrats are not on board.

That means Senate Republicans have limited options for its passage. The act is expected to consume much of the Senate's time as Republicans seek to support a bill championed by Trump and Democrats aim to fend off what they see as voter suppression. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) must lean into pressure from Trump to get the bill done while also managing the reality of the chamber's makeup.

"We don't have the votes either to proceed, get on a talking filibuster, nor to sustain one if we got on it," Thune said last week. "That's just a function of math. There isn't anything I can do about that."

Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, Zachary Schermele