Concerned about potential voting by non-citizens, conservative groups across the U.S. are urging Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Twelve state chairs from the State Freedom Caucus Network sent a letter to lawmakers emphasizing the importance of election integrity, particularly in light of the recent presidential election. They argue that the SAVE Act is necessary to address concerns about the potential for non-citizen voting.

The SAVE Act, recently reintroduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), would mandate states to verify citizenship and identity with documentary proof during voter registration. It would also compel states to establish programs for removing non-citizens from voter rolls and empower citizens to sue officials who fail to comply. While federal law already restricts voting to citizens, proponents of the bill contend that current enforcement mechanisms are inadequate. They cite the accessibility of driver's licenses and other benefits to non-citizens in some states as a potential pathway to improper voter registration.

These concerns are further fueled by the recent border surge and instances of states removing thousands of non-citizens from their voter rolls. The state chairs expressed apprehension about the combination of a large non-citizen population, limited government oversight of their activities, and widespread voter registration drives without sufficient safeguards.

The State Freedom Caucus Network, which has been growing since its 2021 launch, aims to align state-level policies with conservative principles. Individual state chairs voiced their support for the SAVE Act, emphasizing the importance of secure elections. Jordan Pace, Chairman of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, highlighted efforts in his state to ensure election integrity, while Jake Hoffman, Chairman of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, pointed to a state law requiring proof of citizenship with voter registration forms, advocating for federal legislation to further strengthen these measures.

This push for the SAVE Act coincides with a renewed focus on immigration-related issues in Congress, particularly with the Republican majority in both chambers and the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Trump. The recent passage of the Laken Riley Act in the House and its advancement in the Senate, with bipartisan support, further underscores this legislative trend.