The Senate rejected the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act, by a 50-48 vote after four Republicans joined Democrats in opposition.
Senator Elissa Slotkin argued that the legislation would make it difficult for Democrats to win elections in any state, suggesting the bill would “rig our democracy.”
The SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, mandate photo identification for casting ballots in federal elections, and impose additional steps for states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Congress to pass the bill, claiming that Democrats oppose voter identification because it would prevent electoral cheating and that the party relies on ineligible votes to secure victories.
A nonpartisan election policy organization reports that registration of noncitizens is rare and that officials act swiftly when isolated cases of improper registration or voting are discovered.
Slotkin also asserted that the bill could hinder married women by requiring a birth certificate at the polls, a requirement that could create extra hurdles for those whose legal name has changed after marriage.
Republican lawmakers condemned Slotkin’s remarks, describing them as false and emphasizing that showing a government‑issued ID is common sense for all voters, regardless of marital status.
In a recently released video, Slotkin claimed the president had warned that a loss for Republicans in the 2026 midterms would indicate a “rigged” election and referenced an unsigned draft executive order that would have used the National Guard to seize voting machines.
The administration responded that securing elections through voter ID and proof of citizenship is a commonsense measure and suggested that any concern about partisan advantage reflects the strategies parties employ to win.
