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ONLY CITIZENS VOTE

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Federal Legislation to Protect the Integrity of Federal Elections

Congress is advancing major federal legislation designed to strengthen verification of voter eligibility in federal elections and protect public confidence in the election system.

Two key legislative efforts currently under consideration are:

  • SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) America Act
  • MEGA (Make Elections Great Again) Act

These bills focus on establishing clear, enforceable standards to ensure that only eligible United States citizens register and vote in federal elections, while preserving state administration of elections.

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Protecting Federal Election Integrity

Federal law permits only United States citizens to vote in federal elections. Congress is considering legislation to strengthen verification procedures and provide clear national standards for eligibility verification.

Public awareness and engagement play an important role in advancing legislative action.

These legislative proposals are primarily directed at:

  • Establishing documentary proof of U.S. citizenship requirements for federal voter registration and related list-maintenance processes (SAVE Act)

  • Requiring photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections and establishing uniform federal standards governing voter eligibility and voting procedures (SAVE America Act)

  • Enhancing verification procedures and data integrity in voter registration systems, including improved use of government records and database cross-checks
  • Strengthening voter roll maintenance and accuracy requirements through clearer federal standards and oversight mechanisms (MEGA Act)
  • Increasing transparency, reporting, and accountability in election administration practices

  • Providing uniform federal standards while maintaining state responsibility for administering elections

SAVE America Act

Official Legislation

(H. R. 7296 — Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)

SAVE America Act

Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act

Press Release

Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act

SAVE America Act

Strengthening Citizenship Verification and Voter Eligibility Standards

The SAVE America Act is comprehensive federal legislation designed to strengthen verification of voter eligibility in federal elections.

Key Provisions of the SAVE America Act:

The legislation would:

  • Require documentary proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, including in-person registration and updates affecting eligibility
  • Requiring photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections and establishing uniform federal standards governing voter eligibility and voting procedures
  • Amend the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to establish uniform federal standards for verifying citizenship status in federal voter registration processes
  • Require states to obtain and review documentary evidence of citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or other qualifying documentation) before registering an applicant for federal elections
  • Direct states to establish procedures to remove or prevent registration of non-citizens from voter rolls for federal elections, consistent with federal standards

  • Strengthen verification procedures for voter registration records through documentation review and record maintenance safeguards

  • Provide mechanisms for applicants to cure or appeal citizenship verification issues and require states to notify individuals of deficiencies

  • Maintain state responsibility for administering elections while imposing federal requirements governing registration for federal offices

The SAVE America Act applies to federal elections and focuses on establishing documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, requiring photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections, and creating uniform federal standards for verifying voter eligibility, while preserving state responsibility for administering elections.

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Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act

Comprehensive Framework to Strengthen Election Integrity and Public Confidence

The Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act, introduced in the House of Representatives and reviewed by the House Committee on Administration, provides a broader framework for strengthening election integrity.

The MEGA Act focuses on:

  • Strengthening enforcement of existing voter eligibility requirements through enhanced federal oversight and compliance mechanisms
  • Improving the accuracy and maintenance of voter registration rolls, including requirements for regular list maintenance and systematic removal of ineligible registrations consistent with federal law
  • Enhancing interstate and federal data-sharing and database cross-checking procedures to identify duplicate registrations, deceased registrants, and potential ineligible voters
  • Establishing clearer standards and procedures for states to verify voter eligibility information using available government records

  • Requiring additional reporting, documentation, and transparency measures related to voter registration list maintenance practices

  • Requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or other specified documents) for voter registration in federal elections

  • Requiring voters to present valid physical photo identification when voting in person (with limited exceptions), and requirements for submitting ID copies or alternatives when voting by mail

  • Requiring mail-in/absentee ballots to be received by the close of polls on Election Day (no counting of late-arriving but postmarked ballots)

  • Requiring active requests for mail ballots in each election cycle (prohibiting automatic or universal mail voting systems)

  • Prohibiting ballot harvesting or third-party collection of mail ballots in many cases

  • Requiring the use of auditable paper ballots in all federal elections

  • Prohibiting ranked-choice voting in general elections for federal office

  • Maintaining state administration of elections while imposing federal standards governing voter registration, record accuracy, oversight, voter identification, ballot handling, and other election integrity measures

Senate Procedure and the Filibuster — Why It Matters

For legislation to become law, it must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In the Senate, the filibuster is a procedural rule that allows extended debate on legislation. To move forward to a final vote, the Senate must invoke cloture, which typically requires 60 votes.

This procedural requirement means legislation may be delayed or blocked unless sufficient support exists to advance the bill.

Talking Filibuster vs. Modern (“Zombie”) Filibuster

Historically, Senators were required to hold the Senate floor and speak continuously to delay legislation. This was known as the talking filibuster.

Under a talking filibuster:
  • Senators were required to speak publicly and continuously
  • Debate was visible to the public
  • Legislative disagreements occurred in open session
In modern Senate practice, Senators can indicate opposition to legislation without continuously holding the floor. This is often referred to as a “zombie filibuster.”

Under this practice:
  • Legislation is delayed or obstructed procedurally
  • Senators threaten a filibuster but don't need to hold the floor with continuous debate
  • The Senate must still reach the cloture threshold to proceed
This procedural reality makes Senate consideration an important stage in the legislative process.
Project Civica supports restoring the traditional talking filibuster, which requires open, continuous debate. This approach increases transparency and accountability and helps restore the Senate’s historic role as a deliberative body where legislation is debated publicly and openly.
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How These Legislative Efforts Work Together

The SAVE America Act establishes clear eligibility verification requirements for federal voter registration and voting.

The MEGA Act strengthens oversight, enforcement, and voter roll accuracy to support and implement those standards effectively.

Together, these legislative efforts aim to strengthen federal election integrity while preserving state administration of elections.

What these bills would do:
  • Require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
  • Require photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections
  • Establish clear and enforceable eligibility verification standards
  • Improve accuracy of voter registration records
  • Strengthen election transparency and accountability
  • Support states in implementing verification procedures
  • Preserve state administration of elections

What These Bills Do NOT Do
  • Eliminate absentee voting
  • Eliminate mail voting
  • Prevent eligible citizens from voting
  • Federalize state election administration
  • Apply retroactively to prior elections

Their purpose is to strengthen verification of eligibility moving forward.

Common Myths and The Truth
About the SAVE America Act

As the SAVE America Act has been debated, a number of claims and misconceptions have circulated. Below are answers to several common myths based on the legislative text and official committee materials.
  • Myth 1:
    “You’ll have to re-register to vote and show your birth certificate before the next election."

    Wrong. The SAVE America Act grandfathers everyone currently registered. No one needs to re-register for the upcoming election. New citizenship verification applies to new registrations going forward only — not to existing voters.
  • Myth 2:
    “Noncitizen voting is already illegal — this bill is redundant.”

    Making something illegal is not the same as preventing it. Drunk driving is illegal — but we still have sobriety checkpoints. The National Voter Registration Act has no enforcement mechanism — no requirement to verify citizenship at registration. The SAVE America Act adds the checkpoint the law has always been missing.
  • Myth 3:
    “Millions of Americans don’t have documentary proof of citizenship.”

    Every U.S. citizen is legally entitled to a birth certificate. Naturalized citizens receive theirs at naturalization. Replacements are available from state vital records — typically $10–$25. The Act only requires presenting it once, at registration — not at every election.
  • Myth 4:
    “Voter ID is a modern-day poll tax.”

    84% of Americans say only citizens should vote — including 76% of Democrats and 78% of liberals. After Georgia strengthened voter ID laws, critics predicted collapse. Instead, Georgia saw record turnout including among minority voters. Integrity and participation are not opposites.
  • Myth 5:
    “This is Jim Crow 2.0 — a partisan effort to suppress minority votes.”

    This claim cannot survive contact with the data. McLaughlin polling shows 76% support among self-identified Democrats — including 64% of Black Americans and 64% of Hispanics. Purchasing a firearm requires a background check, photo ID, and a 4473 form. The SAVE America Act clears that bar easily. Calling 83% consensus “voter suppression” is politics, not fact.
  • Myth 6:
    “Married women will be disenfranchised because their birth certificate doesn’t match their married name.”

    This is a deliberate misrepresentation. One additional document — a marriage certificate or court order — completes the application, the same process used for passports and Real IDs. As a further fallback, applicants may sign an attestation under penalty of perjury. No citizen is left without a path to register.
  • Myth 7:
    “The SAVE America Act is a federal takeover of elections.”

    This is a small, targeted bill that does two things: ensures people are citizens when they register and who they say they are when they vote. States still run their own elections. Article I, Section 4 explicitly gives Congress this authority. This is a safeguard against foreign interference, not a takeover.
  • Myth 8:
    “It’s logistically impossible to implement in time.”

    States moved rapidly to expand mail-in voting when standards loosened. Suddenly tightening standards is “impossible”? 95% of Americans already have a valid photo ID. 89% can prove citizenship right now. The infrastructure exists. Acting now isn’t reckless — it’s responsible.
  • Myth 9:
    “Evidence shows noncitizen voting is vanishingly rare.”

    This claim proves our point. Documented cases are rare because we have no systematic way to detect them. Absence of evidence in an unmonitored system is not evidence of absence — it is evidence the system is unmonitored. The SAVE America Act creates the monitoring. That’s the entire point.
  • Myth 10:
    “The SAVE America Act forces Americans to register to vote in person.”

    The people saying this haven’t read the bill. Section 6 explicitly amends the National Mail Voter Registration Form to include citizenship verification — meaning mail registration is preserved and named in the bill. Motor voter and agency registration continue. You can still register by mail, at the DMV, or through a registration agency. Registering in person was never required. It still isn’t.
  • Myth 11:
    “You need a valid U.S. passport to register to vote under this bill.”

    False. A passport is one of more than five accepted documents. The bill also accepts: a REAL ID indicating U.S. citizenship, a military ID with service record, a government photo ID showing U.S. place of birth, a birth certificate paired with any government photo ID, a naturalization certificate, and an American Indian KIC card. Most Americans already carry a qualifying document. No passport required.

Congressional Oversight and Review

Election integrity legislation is reviewed through formal congressional committee hearings and legislative procedures.

This legislative process helps ensure that proposed standards are practical, lawful, and effective.

Take Action – Contact Your Representatives in Congress

Your voice matters. Federal election integrity legislation is currently under consideration in Congress. Members of Congress pay close attention when constituents contact their offices. A brief call or message can help demonstrate strong public support for legislation that protects the integrity of our elections.

  • Call Your U.S. Representative and Senators

    Ask them to support legislation that protects the integrity of our elections, including the SAVE America Act and the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act.

    You may use this message:

    “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent. I am calling to ask the Representative/Senator to support legislation that protects the integrity of our elections, including measures that strengthen verification of voter eligibility. Thank you.”

  • Find Your Members of Congress

    Find your U.S. House Representative:
    https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

    Find your U.S. Senators:
    https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

  • Encourage others to sign and contact Congress.

    Public engagement helps ensure that election integrity remains a national priority.

  • Sign The Petition
    Add your name to protect verified voting.
    Complete the form on this page.

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Legislative and Informational Sources

This page is based on publicly available legislative text, congressional committee materials, and official government sources, including:

Congress.gov legislative records

U.S. House Committee on Administration materials

Official congressional bill text and summaries

This page is provided for informational and civic engagement purposes.