Yuba-Sutter Times

Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced that the House has passed H.R. 22, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act). This bill seeks to ensure voting in federal elections is limited to U.S. citizens by requiring proof of citizenship during voter registration.

Rep. LaMalfa commented on the bill's intent stating, "The right to vote was always intended to be reserved for United States citizens. Allowing non-citizens that right would undermine the very principles upon which our nation was founded and diminish the value of votes cast by actual American citizens."

The SAVE Act addresses election security concerns by instituting measures such as requiring citizenship proof at registration and ensuring voter rolls are correct by removing non-citizens. It also allows private citizens to take legal action against election officials who register voters without proper documentation and provides states with access to federal databases to verify citizenship status at no charge. Moreover, it establishes a process for voters without standard citizenship documents to ensure all eligible citizens can vote.

Rep. LaMalfa noted that some states have exploited weak laws, creating potential risks during elections. “The SAVE Act is a commonsense solution that closes these gaps and ensures that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, restoring trust and integrity to the process. I am pleased to see the House take this important step towards protecting the sanctity of our elections and the will of the American people,” he said.

Congressman LaMalfa is currently serving as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and represents California’s First Congressional District, covering several counties including Butte and Shasta.