Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is leading a new effort to ensure that noncitizens are barred from voting in U.S. elections, but Democrats aren’t happy. Johnson is reportedly tying the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to a government funding bill, making it a priority for Republicans in the run-up to the 2024 election.
The SAVE Act would require prospective voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, a step Republicans say is necessary to protect election integrity. While it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, Republicans argue that the current registration process—requiring only that voters check a box verifying citizenship—leaves the system open to abuse.
Several examples back this up. Pennsylvania found over 11,000 noncitizens on its voter rolls in 2019, and North Carolina saw 41 noncitizens illegally vote in 2016. Republicans maintain that any illegal votes, no matter how small the number, can impact close elections and must be prevented.
Democrats, however, are crying foul. They argue that the SAVE Act is an attempt to suppress votes, especially among minority communities. President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders have spoken out against the legislation, calling it a solution to a non-existent problem.
The media has largely sided with Democrats, with publications like The New York Times accusing Republicans of pushing “false theories” about noncitizen voting. But Republicans remain firm, stating that the issue is about protecting the democratic process from illegal participation.
With Johnson attaching the SAVE Act to government funding, Democrats will have a difficult decision as the 2024 elections approach.
