U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) outlined on Mar. 20 the details of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill currently being debated in the U.S. Senate that aims to strengthen voter registration rules for federal elections.
The legislation is intended to ensure that only U.S. citizens are able to register and vote in federal elections, which supporters say is necessary to maintain public trust in election outcomes. Grassley said, “Only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in America. The bill would strengthen voter registration rules to ensure only U.S. citizens may register to vote in a federal election.” He added, “This legislation would ensure noncitizens cannot register to vote, help prevent voter fraud and ensure every ballot cast is legitimate. Losing public trust in the outcome of elections would be a death knell for our fragile American experiment.”
The SAVE America Act proposes two main measures: requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote and mandating government-issued photo identification at the polls. Grassley said, “Requiring a photo ID ensures the person who is registered to vote in that election is the person actually casting the ballot.” He also noted that showing photo ID is already common practice for activities such as opening bank accounts or boarding airplanes.
According to Grassley, applicants could use several types of documents as proof of citizenship, including a valid U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship, Consular Report or Birth Abroad for those born overseas, or a government-issued ID showing citizenship status. The bill allows states flexibility for applicants without these records and provides processes for name changes due to marriage or divorce.
Grassley said states would be able to cross-reference federal databases periodically to verify citizenship status on voter rolls if the act becomes law. He referenced an agreement reached last year allowing Iowa access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database for two decades.
Grassley has served as Iowa’s longest-serving U.S. senator and sits on key Senate committees with a focus on bipartisan collaboration and pragmatic policymaking according to his official website. In addition to his legislative work, he actively raises corn and soybeans in Butler County according to his official website. His background includes service in the Iowa state legislature from 1958 through 1974 and experience working as a sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker according to his official website.
Grassley’s personal life includes being married since 1954 with five children according to his official website. He also assists Iowans with matters involving federal agencies and whistleblowers according to his official website.
