H.R. 7296 — SAVE America Act

This section amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA, 52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.)—commonly known as the "Motor Voter" law, which requires states to provide voter registration opportunities through driver's license applications, designated agencies, and a national mail form—to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for all applications to register to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the section (1) defines "documentary proof of United States citizenship" to include a REAL ID-compliant identification indicating U.S. citizenship, valid U.S. passport, U.S. military ID with service record showing U.S. birthplace, government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birthplace, or other government photo ID presented with a certified birth certificate (meeting specified criteria), U.S. hospital birth record, adoption decree, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or American Indian Card ('KIC' classification); (2) prohibits states from accepting or processing any voter registration application for federal office without such proof; (3) for driver's license applications under NVRA section 5, subjects the process to forthcoming requirements under section 8(j), requires states to verify citizenship, specifies documentary proof, and limits disclosure of applicant data except in criminal or immigration proceedings for false registration claims; and (4) for the national mail registration form under NVRA section 6, subjects acceptance to section 8(j), updates references from the Federal Election Commission to the Election Assistance Commission, requires public notice of the proof requirement, and revises form contents to incorporate it.

This section requires each individual voting in an election for Federal office to present an eligible photo identification document, including a tangible document at in-person voting or a copy with both the absentee ballot request and submission. An eligible photo identification document is one issued by specified authorities (i.e., State motor vehicle agency, State or local election office, Native tribal government, Department of State, Department of War, or Armed Forces branch) that includes the individual's photograph, an indication of U.S. citizenship on the front, and either a driver's license number or the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number (with allowances for additional citizenship documentation or, in SAVE-participating States submitting voter lists quarterly to DHS since June 1, 2025, verified citizenship notations on voter rolls). As a conforming amendment, this section strikes all provisions preceding paragraph (4) of Section 303(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (i.e., removes the requirement for provisional ballots when voters do not present identification required under State law). (Thus, States must enforce strict photo ID compliance without federal provisional ballot fallback for ID failures.) The requirements apply to all Federal elections occurring on or after the date of enactment.