Senators Katie Britt and Dave McCormick announced their support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a measure passed by the House in April that would amend the 1993 National Voter Registration Act to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and force states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

Two Senate Republicans, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama and Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, have signed on to cosponsor the SAVE Act, building on a House vote in April. The bill was introduced last year by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and aims to change how registration is verified for federal elections.

The proposed amendment to the 1993 National Voter Registration Act would make documentary proof of U.S. citizenship a requirement to register to vote in federal contests. It would also require states to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls, tightening verification at the federal level.

The push for the SAVE Act comes as Republican leaders and prominent conservative voices press for cleaner rolls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Trump administration has urged states to purge potentially ineligible voters, and that pressure is part of why senators are racing to formalize stricter rules.

Supporters argue the change is common-sense protection for voting integrity and a necessary response to a system they say has grown lax. For many conservatives, requiring documents is not meant to block citizens but to ensure only eligible people cast ballots in federal races.

Critics counter that adding document requirements could create practical barriers that discourage legitimate voters, especially those who lack easy access to paperwork. That argument frames the debate as a trade-off between security and access, with both sides claiming to defend democracy.

Some localities already allow non-citizen participation in municipal contests, notably in parts of California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., and those exceptions stoke concern among opponents. While non-citizens are barred from federal and state elections, the patchwork of local rules fuels calls for a uniform federal standard.

Sen. Dave McCormick was blunt about his view on citizenship and voting rights: “Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility that is reserved for U.S. citizens.” That line captures why supporters view this bill as a foundational fix rather than a policy tweak.

McCormick reiterated his stance more personally: “Since day one, I have always supported protecting our elections from illegal voting and ensuring only American citizens are voting in our elections.” His words are being used to rally voters and lawmakers who demand tougher verification.

The House’s earlier passage in April shows the proposal already has momentum, and senators joining the cause make it likely the debate will move to the upper chamber. For Republicans, backing the SAVE Act is both a policy position and a signal to constituents that election integrity is a priority heading into 2026.

Passage of the SAVE Act would force states to adjust registration procedures, requiring upfront documents and periodic roll maintenance to remove verified non-citizens. Proponents insist these measures are straightforward administrative fixes that restore confidence in the electoral system.

Opponents warn that such requirements could unintentionally disenfranchise vulnerable Americans who lack birth certificates or other proof of citizenship, creating new obstacles in places with limited access to records. That concern frames much of the resistance and will be central to the Senate debate.

The involvement of the Trump administration in urging cleanups of voter lists elevates this from a legislative side issue to a coordinated conservative effort. Republicans see the SAVE Act as a tool to standardize protections nationwide and close loopholes that some fear could be exploited.

At the core, proponents argue the goal is not to deny rights but to define and secure them, protecting voting as a privilege tied to citizenship. As the country heads toward the 2026 midterms, the Senate will likely test how far it will go to impose uniform rules on who gets to participate in federal elections.