What is the SAVE Act, and why are Democrats opposed to Trump's pitch? - NBC Chicago

The proposal would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require specific documents showing proof of U.S citizenship for a person to register to vote in federal elections.

President Donald Trump has made his most forceful push yet for Congress to pass an act requiring voters to present photo ID when voting and to present proof of citizenship when registering.

The SAVE America Act is being touted by Republicans as a way to combat voter fraud, while Democrats argue that voter fraud is extremely rare and that the legislation could disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans.

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“I’m asking you to approve the Save America Act to stop illegal aliens and other who are unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections. The cheating is rampant in our elections,” Trump said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Despite the president’s comments, voter fraud is extremely rare. According to the Associated Press, a recent Michigan study found just 15 people who appear to be noncitizens cast ballots in 2024, out of 5.7 million votes cast.

Of those, 13 were referred for criminal charges, one is a person who is now deceased, and the 15th is being investigated.

Still, Republicans say that the bill is needed to secure elections, with at least 50 having said they will support the measure, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins, according to NBC News.

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“I support the version of the SAVE America Act that recently passed the House,” Collins said in a statement. “The law is clear that in this country, only American citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections. In addition, having people provide an ID at the polls, just as they have to do before boarding an airplane, checking into a hotel, or buying an alcoholic beverage, is a simple reform that will improve the security of our federal elections and will help give people more confidence in the results."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the legislation, arguing it would disenfranchise millions.

“They make it so hard to get any kind of voter ID that more than 20 million legitimate people, mainly poorer people and people of color, will not be able to vote under this law,” Schumer said Sunday on CNN. “We will not let it pass in the Senate. We are fighting it tooth and nail. It’s an outrageous proposal that shows the sort of political bias of the MAGA right.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also blasted the legislation during the State of the Union address.

“The SAVE Act isn’t about stopping fraud – it’s about stopping voters,” Pritzker said.

Illinois does not require voters to present photo ID when voting.

In addition to mandating a photo ID to vote, the SAVE America Act requires people to show proof of U.S. citizenship in person to register to vote, according to text of the legislation. That includes those voting by mail, who would also have to enclose a copy of a photo ID in order to cast their ballots.

According to research by the Brennan Center, more than 21 million Americans lack ready access to those documents, with roughly half of Americans not having passports.

Millions of women whose married names aren’t on their birth certificates or passports would also face extra hurdles to voting.

The bill would prohibit students from using IDs to vote, and would only accept tribal IDs with an expiration date according to the Brennan Center.

Cost concerns are also criticized by those opposed to the bill, with some likening it to a “poll tax” on voters.