Is it ‘Voter Suppression’ to Require Proof of Citizenship to Vote?

by Jeff Johnston | February 10, 2026 | Government Updates

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is proposed federal legislation that would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to show photo identification when voting in federal elections. 

Proponents state that the Act is necessary to prevent voter fraud and keep non-citizens from voting in federal elections. They explain that the millions of illegal aliens currently living in the U.S. necessitate strengthening election integrity. 

Opponents, on the other hand, claim “instances of noncitizen voting are rare.” They also contend that the Act amounts to “voter suppression” that would “block millions of Americans from voting.”

The Brennan Center for Justice, for example, states its opposition to the Act: 

In every form, the SAVE Act would require American citizens to show documents like a passport or birth certificate to register to vote. Our research shows that more than 21 million Americans lack ready access to those documents.

The SAVE America ACT would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), known as the “motor voter law,” which mandates that states offer voter registration for federal elections at state motor vehicle agencies. NVRA also requires states to offer voter registration by mail-in applications. 

The NVRA also requires applicants to sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, that they meet the requirements to vote. But it does not require them to present any proof of citizenship. 

Representative Chip Roy, R-TX, introduced the first version of the SAVE Act in 2024, where it passed in the House but failed in the Senate. Rep. Roy reintroduced the bill in 2025, with the House voting 220 to 208 to pass the measure. Again, the bill died in the Senate. 

Roy introduced a slightly different version of the bill, HR 7296, renamed the SAVE America Act, on January 30, 2026. The newer version, also dubbed SAVE 2.0, added the requirement for voters to present a photo ID to vote in federal elections and mandates that states purge non-citizens from voter rolls. 

The House is scheduled to vote this week on the newer version, and members who support the measure are putting pressure on the Senate to also bring the bill to a vote

Massive Bipartisan Citizen Approval

Voter ID laws have widespread approval. A recent survey from Pew Research Center demonstrated that Americans overwhelmingly support, by a margin of 83-16%, “requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote.” Voters from every ethnic background approve of these laws. 

Pew reported: 

Support for photo ID requirements also remains widespread in both parties. More than nine-in-ten Republicans (95%) and about seven-in-ten Democrats (71%) favor requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated his support for the SAVE America Act, stating, “The American people deserve free, fair, and secure elections. That starts with proving your identity when you vote.” 

On CNN, news anchor Dana Bash questioned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about popular support for voter ID laws. He responded, “We know that states are the ones who are empowered to conduct elections, and every state should be allowed to decide the best way to proceed, to ensure that there’s a free and fair election.” 

He went on to accuse Republicans of trying to engage in “voter suppression.” 

Hans Von Spakovsky, an attorney who has served on the Federal Election Commission, writes: 

Voters want both access and security. And contrary to the claims of critics, you can provide both. Making sure that every eligible citizen is able to vote does not prevent you from implementing measures intended to safeguard that vote.

To this end, Von Spakovsky recommends that states certify the accuracy of voter registration lists, verify citizenship of voters, require voter ID, and limit absentee ballots. He also suggests banning vote harvesting by third parties should be banned and giving election observers complete access to the entire voting and ballot counting process. 

According to Ballotpedia, 49 states “require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections.” North Dakota does not have a statewide voter registration system but does require voter identification to vote. 

However, the online resource adds, “Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration.” Of these, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana have not implemented those systems, and a court decision invalidated Kansas’ law. 

In addition, “Ohio requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility … and Tennessee, requires proof of citizenship for some registrants if there are questions about a person’s citizenship status.” 

Ballotpedia also explains, “As of October 2025, 36 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day, but many states provide for exceptions to these rules.” 

States like California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont require no ID to vote.  

Related articles and resources: 

Are Elections Secure? 10 Examples of Election Issues Around the Country

Can the US Postal System Be Trusted with Our Ballots?

Election Security Is on the Ballot in November and December

Georgia’s Election Integrity Act – Voter Suppression or Election Integrity?

The Heritage Foundation: Election Integrity and the American Republic

Voter Fraud: The Election Process, What Can Go Wrong, and Previous Contested Elections and Incidents Why (and How) Christians Should Vote

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