The SAVE Act (2025)

A new bill, H.R. 22, titled the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act” (SAVE Act), was introduced in the House on January 3rd. This bill aims to require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, ensuring that only U.S. citizens can vote in these elections.

After reviewing the bill with our legal team, we can confirm that changing your name will NOT prevent you from voting.

Important: This bill has not yet passed through the Senate, so it is not currently a law.

1. What is this bill’s purpose?

The primary purpose of the SAVE Act is to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require individuals to provide documentary proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Acceptable forms of proof include:

• A valid U.S. passport.
• A birth certificate verifying U.S. citizenship.
• A certificate of naturalization.
• Any other document or method of proof established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

The bill mandates that states cannot accept or process voter registration applications for federal elections unless the applicant presents such documentary proof of citizenship.

2. Who is restricted from voting by this bill?

The SAVE Act restricts individuals who cannot provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship from registering to vote in federal elections. This means that non-citizens and individuals unable to furnish the specified documentation will be prohibited from registering and, consequently, from voting in federal elections. The bill does not introduce new restrictions based on factors such as marital status, gender, race, or ethnicity.

3. Will this bill prevent people who have changed their name from voting?

No, it does not ban people who have changed their name from voting—it simply requires additional steps to verify their identity and U.S. citizenship. The main issue is making sure your voter registration matches your current legal name and that you have the necessary documents.

4. Will this bill restrict married women from voting?

No, The SAVE Act (H.R. 22) does not restrict married women from voting. The bill requires all individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate).

The concern that married women might face restrictions likely comes from the fact that some women, especially those who changed their last name after marriage, may need to provide additional documentation to match their current legal name. If a woman’s birth certificate does not reflect her married name, she may need a marriage certificate or other supporting documents to verify her identity and citizenship.

However, the bill itself does not specifically target or prohibit married women from voting—only those who cannot provide the required proof of U.S. citizenship would be restricted. If you have any questions, reach out to our support team at support@newlynamed.com and we’d be happy to chat through it with you!