This bill would require people to show documents that prove U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. States could not accept or process a voter registration without that proof. If someone doesn’t have standard documents, the state must offer another way to show citizenship: the person signs a statement that they are a U.S. citizen and provides other evidence, and an election official reviews it and signs a form explaining the decision .

States must regularly check their voter lists to make sure only citizens are registered and remove noncitizens when found. They can use data from the Department of Homeland Security (SAVE system), the Social Security Administration, and state ID agencies. Federal agencies must share needed information with election officials within 24 hours, and DHS must tell states when someone becomes a naturalized citizen .

• Who is affected

  • People registering to vote in federal elections and state/local election officials; agencies that help with voter registration (like DMVs); and federal agencies that hold citizenship data .

• What changes

  • You must show proof of U.S. citizenship to register; acceptable proof includes certain IDs that meet REAL ID rules and show U.S. citizenship.
  • If you apply by mail, you still have to present your proof in person by your state’s registration deadline (or at the polling place if your state allows same‑day or early‑vote registration). Election officials must notify you of this rule and provide accommodations for people with disabilities.
  • DMVs and other registration offices must ask if you are a U.S. citizen and, if you say yes, collect proof before processing your form; driver’s license voter registration must verify citizenship .
  • Provisional ballots are still allowed and can be counted once citizenship is verified.
  • People can sue if an official registers someone without the required proof, and there are new criminal penalties for certain violations (including registering someone who doesn’t show proof).

• When

  • Takes effect on the date it becomes law and applies to registrations submitted on or after that date; states must set up their ongoing verification program within 30 days; the Election Assistance Commission must issue guidance within 10 days .