WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – On Feb. 11, the U.S. House narrowly passed the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act” also known as the “SAVE America Act” 218–213. The bill requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and mandates valid photo ID to cast a federal ballot. Only one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, voted yes.

The legislation, revised from an earlier version of the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act the House passed in April of 2025, now heads to the Senate. It will need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated there is not enough support among the Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, meaning bipartisan support would be required to get the legislation passed.

Proof of citizenship for new voters, photo ID by 2027 for registered voters.

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Under the bill, anyone newly registering to vote would be required to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship – such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license that verifies citizenship, a U.S. passport, or other qualifying documents. For voters who are already registered, a valid government- issued photo ID would be required to cast a ballot in person in federal elections beginning in 2027. Those who arrive at the polls without valid identification could still vote using a provisional ballot but would have three days to present an acceptable ID for their vote to be counted.

Michigan Democrats join national outcry over SAVE Act.

Democrats have been all over social media pushing back on the legislation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the measure “Jim Crow 2.0” suggesting that it’s a racist bill.

Former President Barack Obama posted that the SAVE Act would “make it harder to vote and disenfranchise millions of Americans.”

A “no” vote from Michigan Democrats.

All of Michigan’s Democratic House members voted no. Rep. Rashida Tlaib called the bill “voter suppression” and an attempt to “rig” the election. Rep. Debbie Dingell said on X that the bill does not make elections safer and would make it harder for Americans to vote. Michigan’s two Democratic senators are expected to join their House counterparts in opposing it. Sen. Gary Peters has previously argued that additional voter ID and citizenship requirements are unnecessary and could create barriers for eligible voters, while Sen. Elissa Slotkin has aligned with Democrats warning against what they view as restrictive federal election mandates.

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Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten said in a video posted by Libs of TikTok that women could find themselves unable to register simply because “when they got married, they didn’t change both their ID and their birth certificate.”

Under the legislation, women whose current legal name doesn’t match the name on their birth certificate are not required to amend their birth records as Democrats are erroneously reporting. Instead, they would need to provide documentation connecting the two names. For example, if a birth certificate lists “Jane Marie Smith” but a driver’s license lists “Jane Marie Johnson,” the applicant could present a marriage certificate showing the name change, a divorce decree (if applicable), a court-ordered name change, or sign an affidavit attesting that Smith was her previous name. The bill requires states to establish a process for handling these name discrepancies, making clear that the requirement is about documenting the link between names – not rewriting history on a birth certificate.

Michigan GOP stands united.

All Michigan Republican representatives voted yes. Rep. John James, who is also running to be Michigan’s next governor, said in a video on X, “It’s going to secure our elections nationwide to make sure illegals aren’t voting in our elections.” He added about the legislation that it would result in “one person, one vote.”

Republican Rep. Tim Walberg said about the legislation, ”Americans need a valid ID to drive a car, pick up a prescription, and open a bank account, yet many do not need to display a valid ID to participate in federal elections. Requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections isn’t just common sense, it is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. The SAVE America Act will keep foreign interference out of our elections, strengthen our election integrity, and restore public trust in our federal elections.”

What’s ahead.

Now the spotlight turns to the Senate, where the real fight begins. With 60 votes needed to break a filibuster, Republicans will face pressure not just from Democrats, but from their own base. MAGA- aligned voters are already signaling they expect action – and little patience for procedural roadblocks.

Whether Senate Republicans hold the line on the filibuster or find another path forward could determine not only the fate of the SAVE Act, but whether voters see the party as serious about following through on its election integrity promises ahead of the midterms.