US House Okays Bill Requiring Proof Of Citizenship For Voting Ahead Of Midterm Polls

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 22:38 IST

The House approved the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of US citizenship and photo ID for voting. Democrats oppose, citing voter burden. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to allow proof of US citizenship in the November midterm elections. Opposing the move, the Democrats said it would impose unnecessary burden on American voters and concentrate electoral power in the hands of President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, the lawmakers voted 218-213 to approve the SAVE America Act, with only one Democrat joining Republicans to back the measure.

Following this, the legislation has been sent to the Republican-led Senate.

This bill is the latest version of election legislation that was first pointed out during the 2024 presidential campaign, driven by Trump’s claims that large numbers of people in the country illegally have been voting in federal elections.

Also Read: New US Citizenship Rules: Stricter Civics Tests, Moral Scrutiny, And What It Means For Indians

This comes almost a week after Trump called for Republicans to “take over" elections in more than a dozen locations.

According to Reuters, the bill would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in the midterms and would impose criminal penalties on election officials who register anyone without the required documentation.

Besides, a photo ID will also be required for people casting ballots at the polls or via mail-in ballots in subsequent federal elections.

The Republicans cited polls including a Pew Research Center survey showing that 83% of voters, including 71% of Democrats, back photo ID for voters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the bill as “common sense legislation to just ensure that American citizens decide American elections."

Reuters quoted the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law warning that the SAVE America Act could deny the vote to millions of U.S. citizens who lack ready access to passports, birth certificates and other documents that prove their citizenship.

“The SAVE America Act is part of a comprehensive Republican strategy to cement power this year. Speaker Johnson wants to make it harder for Americans to vote, easier for Washington Republicans to control how elections are run," said Representative Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House committee that oversees elections.

News world US House Okays Bill Requiring Proof Of Citizenship For Voting Ahead Of Midterm Polls

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