Washington D.C. - House Republicans are pushing forward with legislation designed to ensure only eligible citizens vote in U.S. elections. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, debated and voted on in the House this week, would require states to take steps to verify the citizenship of individuals registering to vote.
The bill aims to address concerns about non-citizens potentially being registered to vote. Proponents argue that verifying citizenship is a common-sense measure to protect the integrity of elections.
Democrats have largely criticized the bill, arguing that it is a solution in search of a problem and could create unnecessary hurdles for eligible citizens, particularly those from marginalized communities, to register and vote. Some also raised concerns about the potential for discrimination and voter suppression. During the House vote, only a small number of Democrats voted in favor of the legislation.
House Republicans Push Bill to Verify Voter Eligibility
House Republicans advanced a bill aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act seeks to require states to verify citizenship when registering voters. Democrats have largely opposed the measure, arguing it is unnecessary and could disenfranchise eligible voters. Only a handful of Democrats ultimately supported the bill during the House vote.