Palmer votes in favor of legislation to prevent noncitizens from voting in American Elections

On Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act – H.R. 8281 221 to 198. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) released a statement after voting in favor of the bill to make our elections more secure by requiring that states obtain proof of citizenship before registering people to vote.

"The Biden administration and Congressional Democrats have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to infiltrate our nation, hereby threatening the integrity of our elections," said Rep. Palmer. "The American people have lost trust in our election process. It is time for Congress to act and protect the security of the ballot. To restore faith in our elections, we must amend the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), clean up existing voter rolls, and empower citizens to report cases of voter fraud. This is why I voted in support of the SAVE Act."

"Even though only American citizens are permitted to vote in American elections, the NVRA hinders states from verifying citizenship when people register to vote," Palmer continued. "Similar to the Citizen Ballot Protection Act that I introduced last year, the SAVE Act amends the NVRA to require states to require proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote. Additionally, it requires states to remove non-citizens from their current voter rolls and empowers private citizens to help protect our elections by allowing them to bring up civil suits against election officials failing to require proof of citizenship."

"Protecting our elections is vital for the future of our nation," Palmer concluded. "I appreciate Rep. Chip Roy's (TX-21) leadership on this bill and am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the SAVE Act."

Since President Joseph R. Biden (D) took office, millions of illegal immigrants have poured into the country while the government considers their requests for asylum. They as well as many legal immigrants are given the opportunity to register to vote in federal elections through the Motor Voter Act. The SAVE Act would uphold and strengthen current law that permits only U.S. citizens to vote in Federal elections.

Critics warn that it could lead to some Americans being removed from the voter rolls.

"Secure elections are a key cornerstone for any representative government; without them, we won't have a country," said sponsor Rep. Roy. "Radical progressive Democrats know this and are using open border policies while also attacking election integrity laws to fundamentally remake America. That's why I am proud to introduce the SAVE Act with Speaker Johnson and my Republican colleagues, along with the invaluable support of citizens and organizations that recognize we must end the practice of non-citizens voting in our elections."

"As we approach the 2024 elections, the American people must have absolute certainty in the integrity of our election system," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). "This bill would fortify federal elections by ensuring that only American citizens vote in American elections. I am grateful to Congressman Roy for his important leadership on this critical issue and for introducing this legislation in the House."

This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by specified sources. Additionally, the bill requires states to remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The Election Assistance Commission must, within 10 days, adopt and transmit guidance for implementing the bill's requirements to chief state election officials.

The bill now goes to the Senate for their consideration. U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has sponsored the SAVE Act in the U.S. Senate.

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