Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act Passes House
5 Democrats joined Republicans, garnering 221 ‘Yea’ and 198 ‘Nay’ votes
A voter registration bill sponsored by Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], passed the House on July 10th, 2024, sending it up to the Senate where it’s speculated it likely won’t pass.
President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the bill if it crosses his desk. In a statement released on July 8th, the Executive Office of the President stated that they strongly oppose the bill, suggesting it does nothing to actually safeguard elections, rather it makes it more difficult for American Citizens to vote due to the requirements for registration.
They point out that it’s already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, and that making a false claim of citizenship or unlawfully voting in a federal election would result in removal from the United States, in addition to a permanent ban on admission back in. Other critics are simply suggesting it’s redundant, thus unnecessary.
However, proponents argue that with the large amount of illegal immigrants in the country, it’s an extra layer of protection that would stymie any chance of fraud stemming from noncitizens falling through the cracks, citing concerns that immigrants who are illegally entering are being registered to vote upon entry.
The bill requires “documentary proof of citizenship” at the time of registration for 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.
The accepted forms of proof of citizenship are:
A form of identification issued consistent with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
A valid United States passport.
The applicant's official United States military identification card, together with a United States military record of service showing that the applicant's place of birth was in the United States.
A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State or Tribal government showing that the applicant's place of birth was in the United States.
A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State or Tribal government other than an identification described in the above paragraphs, but only if presented together with one or more of the following:
A certified birth certificate issued by a State, a unit of local government in a State, or a Tribal government which — was issued by the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government in which the applicant was born.
The bill also mandates that States remove any noncitizens who are registered to vote from their voter rolls, and requires States offer reasonable accessibility accommodations to disabled, or disadvantaged individuals.
H.R. 8281 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.
Do you think someone like Fetterman would vote for it if the republican senate promised Israeli stuff?
Would it be something you would like or agree with?