Across the country and here in Michigan, several efforts are advancing that would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, and in some cases could require voters to re-register using those documents. For many people, these records can be difficult to locate, time-consuming to obtain, or costly to replace, creating additional barriers for eligible voters trying to participate in elections.

At first glance, these proposals can feel repetitive or confusing. Versions of the same idea are appearing at the federal level, in the Michigan Legislature, and through a statewide ballot initiative.

That repetition is not accidental. The same policy approach is being introduced through multiple pathways at the same time, which can make it harder for voters to understand how these proposals could affect our ability to register and vote.

These proposals include federal legislation known as the SAVE Act, as well as state-level efforts often described as the Michigan version of the SAVE Act.

Before looking at the proposals themselves, it’s important to understand two key facts.

First, noncitizens cannot legally vote in U.S. elections. Both federal and Michigan law require voters to affirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering.

Second, Michigan’s elections are safe and secure. Investigations have consistently found that incidents of noncitizen voting are extremely rare, and Michigan’s election system has repeatedly been reviewed and confirmed to be well administered.

Despite these existing safeguards, several proposals are moving forward that could create new barriers for eligible citizens attempting to register and participate in elections.

Below is a breakdown of three efforts currently affecting the voting rights of all Michiganders.

Federal Legislation: The SAVE Act

At the federal level, members of Congress are advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require voters to present documents such as a passport or birth certificate when registering to vote.

For many Americans, those documents are not easy to access. Half of American citizens, 146 million people, do not have a passport. In Michigan alone, approximately 5.8 million eligible voters do not have a valid passport. Requiring these forms of identification could create significant barriers for eligible voters attempting to register.

Recently, the President publicly stated that he would not sign other legislation unless Congress passes the SAVE Act. The statement has raised concerns and questions for many voters.

However, the executive branch does not administer elections. The rules governing voter registration and election administration are established through state law and acts of Congress. A president also cannot require Congress to pass a specific bill as a condition for signing unrelated legislation.

At the same time, the SAVE Act remains under consideration in Congress. Recent reporting indicates that Senate leadership has scheduled a vote on the bill for next week, even as debate continues over whether the proposal has the support needed to move forward.

The response from voters and advocates across the country has already had a positive impact. Public pressure and outreach to elected officials have played a role in shaping how this legislation is being considered, even by those who initially supported the bill.

Because of the potential impact of the SAVE Act, many organizations are encouraging voters to continue contacting their U.S. Senators and urging them to vote NO should the bill come up for a vote.

Learn more about the SAVE Act and contact your U.S. Senators. 

While this proposal is moving through Congress, similar policies are also advancing here in Michigan.

Michigan Ballot Initiative: The Michigan Version of the SAVE Act

At the same time, an out-of-state group called Americans for Citizen Voting is circulating petitions in Michigan for the Michigan version of the SAVE Act, a ballot proposal that would require documentary proof of citizenship in order to register and vote.

Under the proposal, voters would be required to present documents such as a passport or birth certificate when registering and could be required to provide additional documentation when casting a ballot.

Research shows that many Americans do not have immediate access to these documents. Passports can take several weeks to obtain and cost more than $165 for first-time applicants, while Michigan birth certificates cost more than $30.

These requirements could disproportionately affect justice-impacted citizens, students, low-income residents, married women who changed their names, rural voters, voters with disabilities, and members of military families.

Communities across Michigan have begun responding by passing local resolutions expressing concern about the proposal and affirming support for Michigan’s current election system.

We urge you to get involved and help spread the word about the impacts you and your community could face if Michigan’s show-your-papers ballot initiative is passed next fall. You can share your story using this easy story-sharing tool developed by our friends at VoteRiders.

Michigan Legislation: House Bill 4765

Similar legislation is also advancing in the Michigan Legislature.

Yet another Michigan version of the SAVE Act, House Bill 4765, would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. 

Supporters of the bill say it is intended to prevent noncitizens from voting. However, both federal and Michigan law already require voters to affirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering, and investigations have repeatedly found that noncitizen voting is extremely rare.

During testimony before the Michigan House Election Integrity Committee, questions emerged about how the bill would work in practice. Lawmakers and election officials raised concerns about which forms of identification would actually be accepted, with conflicting answers about whether commonly used documents such as enhanced driver’s licenses or REAL IDs would qualify as proof of citizenship.

These uncertainties would create confusion for voters and additional administrative burdens for local clerks responsible for managing voter registration.

In a recent statement, Michigan Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie warned that legislation like HB 4765 could prevent eligible citizens from voting by creating additional documentation requirements that many voters may struggle to meet. 

Learn more about House Bill 4765 and contact your Michigan legislators to insist that they oppose these proposals.

Why These Efforts Matter

If made into law, these proposals would reshape how voters register and participate in elections, which is why public awareness and engagement remain critical.

Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) will continue sharing updates and civic education resources as these federal, state, and ballot efforts move forward, while working alongside statewide and national coalitions to protect the right of every eligible voter to participate in our democracy.