On Wednesday, two Senate Republicans, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama and Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, announced their support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill already passed by the House in April.

The legislation, introduced last year by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, aims to amend the 1993 National Voter Registration Act. It seeks to mandate documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections and requires states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

The push comes amid calls from prominent conservative voices, including Elon Musk, and as the Trump administration urges states to purge potentially ineligible voters from their rolls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Though non-citizens are already barred from voting in federal, state, and most local elections, some municipalities in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., permit non-citizen voting in local contests. Britt and McCormick are now cosponsoring the SAVE Act to tighten federal election rules.

SAVE Act Sparks Election Integrity Debate

Supporters contend that the SAVE Act is a necessary step to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot box, Just the News reported. The idea of requiring hard proof of citizenship isn’t just a policy tweak—it’s a firewall against potential fraud in a system many feel is too lax.

Sen. Dave McCormick didn’t mince words on the matter. “Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility that is reserved for U.S. citizens,” he declared. His stance reflects a broader concern that without strict checks, the democratic process risks dilution.

McCormick doubled down, emphasizing his commitment. “Since day one, I have always supported protecting our elections from illegal voting and ensuring only American citizens are voting in our elections,” he said. It’s a rallying cry for those who see voter rolls as a sacred ledger, not a free-for-all.

Conservative Push Amid Midterm Preparations

The timing of this support isn’t random, with the 2026 midterms looming on the horizon. Pressure from the Trump administration to clean up voter lists has added fuel to the fire. States are being nudged to act, and the SAVE Act could be the tool to enforce compliance.

Let’s be clear: the notion of non-citizens voting in any capacity, even locally in places like Washington, D.C., rubs many the wrong way. While the law already prohibits non-citizen voting at higher levels, those local exceptions are seen as a slippery slope. It’s not about distrusting individuals—it’s about distrusting a system that might not catch every discrepancy.

The SAVE Act, if passed, would force states to double-check their rolls and demand documentation upfront. For proponents, it’s a no-brainer in an era where trust in elections is shaky at best. Why risk even a whiff of impropriety when a simple fix is on the table?

Balancing Security with Access Concerns

Of course, not everyone sees this as a slam dunk. Critics might argue that adding paperwork barriers could discourage legitimate voters, especially those without easy access to documents. But isn’t the trade-off worth it if it means securing the process for everyone else?

The House passing the SAVE Act in April showed there’s already significant momentum. With senators like Britt and McCormick jumping on board, the Senate could be the next battleground. This isn’t just a bill—it’s a litmus test for how seriously we take election rules.

Zooming out, the broader context of non-citizen voting in local elections adds another layer of complexity. While it’s limited to specific areas, it’s a policy quirk that fuels the argument for federal-level safeguards. Clarity, not confusion, should govern who gets a say.

Looking Ahead to 2026 Midterms

The Trump administration’s involvement signals this isn’t just a legislative footnote—it’s a priority. Urging states to scrub ineligible names from voter lists is a preemptive strike against potential chaos in 2026. The SAVE Act could be the legal backbone for that effort.

At its core, this debate isn’t about denying rights but defining them. Voting as a citizen privilege needs ironclad protection, especially when trust in institutions is fraying. The SAVE Act, for all the pushback it might face, offers a path to rebuild that confidence.