Rep. Chip Roy discusses the SAVE Act to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections

In a discussion on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) highlighted the need for stronger safeguards to ensure only citizens are voting in federal elections. Despite existing laws prohibiting non-citizens from voting, Roy pointed out the lack of actual measures to verify citizenship during the voting process. He emphasized the case of Arizona, where attempts to enforce citizenship checks for federal elections were blocked by federal law preemption, leading to a dual system in the state. The SAVE Act aims to address this issue by mandating all states to verify citizenship in federal elections. Roy explained that the proposed legislation would require new registrants to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, Real ID, driver's license, or birth certificate. The burden of ensuring only citizens are registered to vote would primarily fall on the states, with provisions for provisional ballots and other mechanisms to address discrepancies in voter rolls. Roy underscored the importance of establishing a standard to guarantee the integrity of elections and prevent non-citizens from voting unlawfully. He clarified that the SAVE Act builds upon existing federal laws that criminalize non-citizen voting and conspiracy to encourage such activities. By enhancing verification requirements for federal elections, the bill aims to instill trust in the electoral process and uphold the principle that only citizens should participate in choosing federal candidates. The congressman emphasized the balance between ensuring election integrity and minimizing burdens on citizens, noting that the proposed legislation would provide flexibility for states to determine the best approach for verifying voter eligibility. Roy reiterated the necessity of implementing measures to safeguard the voting rights of citizens and prevent unauthorized individuals from influencing election outcomes. The SAVE Act represents a legislative effort to strengthen the verification process and uphold the fundamental principle of citizen-only participation in federal elections.