Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
FIRST ON FOX: As the Senate returns from its spring recess, the Honest Elections Project is urging Republican leaders to swiftly address a potential loophole that may allow noncitizens to influence federal elections.
The Honest Elections Project, an organization focused on election integrity, points to judicial interpretations of the National Voter Registration Act, commonly known as the Motor Voter Act. This legislation complicates states’ efforts to implement practical voter ID requirements, consequently enabling noncitizens to potentially sway election outcomes.
The watchdog group asserts that current federal regulations allow for an honor-based system in voter registration. Under this system, noncitizens merely need to check a box asserting their citizenship status to be added to voter rolls. Critics argue that while this act is classified as perjury, the repercussions lack sufficient deterrents.
To combat this issue, the Honest Elections Project has formally requested Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and Senate Rules Committee Chair Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to expedite the consideration of the SAVE Act on the Senate floor.
The SAVE Act, which recently passed in the House, aims to enforce proof of citizenship for voters by requiring documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate, to confirm eligibility. The Senate received this vital legislation from the House on April 10, as reported by Congress.gov.
During the House deliberations, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana emphasized the bill’s significance, stating, “This will be one of the most important votes that members of this chamber will ever take in their entire careers.” Johnson encouraged fellow members to support the bill, questioning whether the outcome of American elections should rest solely in the hands of citizens or include the influence of noncitizens and illegal aliens.
On the contrary, opponents of the SAVE Act, primarily from the Democratic Party, argue that it could complicate voter registration by imposing additional documentation requirements. Critics express concern that rural residents and elderly citizens, who struggle to access ID offices, may face challenges in registering, leading to their disenfranchisement.
Furthermore, those opposing the bill highlight that married women who have undergone name changes may also find themselves disenfranchised due to outdated identification.
The House passed the SAVE Act with a narrow vote of 220 to 208, with only four Democrats joining Republicans in support.
In correspondence addressed to Senate leaders, Honest Elections Executive Director Jason Snead contended that securing proof of citizenship in voter registration would create a system that is “easy to vote, but hard to cheat.” He criticized the opposing arguments, asserting that they represent a series of misleading claims that have persisted around voter ID legislation for decades without any substantiating evidence.
Snead also pointed out that the SAVE Act includes provisions requiring states to adopt a structured process to address discrepancies in identification, such as recognizing a married woman’s new name, and allows for the submission of alternative documentation, like a marriage license.
Snead maintained that current laws clearly demonstrate that noncitizens can register and vote. Citing 2018, he referenced that the Department of Justice charged 19 individuals for illegally registering to vote as noncitizens.
Further evidence from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson confirmed that 15 noncitizens participated in voting in 2024. Officials in states like Ohio, Texas, and Virginia have also identified significant numbers of noncitizens on their voter rolls, with some confirmed to have voted in recent elections.
Snead articulated the gravity of the situation: “Many races are decided by razor-thin margins—sometimes by just a single vote. Each illegal vote undermines the voice of a lawful citizen voter.”
In his statement to Fox News Digital, Snead emphasized that the requirement for proof of citizenship in voter registration enjoys substantial support among the American populace. He referenced a Gallup survey revealing that 83% of Americans favor the necessity of showing proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
As the Senate reconvenes, Snead urged Leader Thune to prioritize the SAVE Act without delay, emphasizing the importance of allowing every senator to express their support for the fundamental principle that only citizens should vote in American elections.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of both Thune and McConnell for their comments regarding this unfolding situation.
Future Implications of the SAVE Act
The urgency surrounding the SAVE Act reflects broader discussions about the integrity of the electoral process in the United States. Advocates for election integrity believe that reinforcing voter registration standards will help ensure confidence in election outcomes, while opponents voice concerns about potential disenfranchisement.
In this charged political environment, the evolution of voting laws and regulations will likely remain a focal point as the nation approaches future elections. The consequences of these legislative changes may not only influence immediate voter participation but may also shape the broader conversation on citizenship and electoral rights in the years to come.
As debates surrounding the SAVE Act unfold in the Senate, the Honest Elections Project and other concerned organizations will continue to advocate for measures they believe will uphold the integrity of elections across the country. How lawmakers proceed may have significant implications for voters as well as the overall trust in the American electoral system.
