SAVE Act Compliance — 2026

Don't Lose Your
Right to Vote.

The SAVE Act requires new proof-of-citizenship documents to register — and millions of Americans may not know they're unprepared. This kit walks you through everything you need, step by step.

Check Your State's
Requirements

Registration deadlines, birth certificate costs, and official links — for all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Registration Deadline
Birth Certificate
What to Do Now
📄 Vital Records Office → 🗳️ Election Office → Get the Kit — $2.99 → Deadlines are approximate — always verify with your state's election office.

A Driver's License
Is No Longer Enough

Under the SAVE Act, every American registering — or updating their registration — to vote in federal elections must present documentary proof of citizenship in person. This includes address changes, name changes, and party switches.

REAL IDs and standard driver's licenses do not qualify. You'll need one of the specific documents listed here, or a qualifying combination.

⚠️  Name mismatch is the #1 issue. If your birth certificate shows a maiden name and your ID shows a married name, you'll need your marriage certificate as a bridge document — even if everything else is in order.
Accepted Documents
  • U.S. Passport or Passport Card
    Most universal — valid or recently expired
  • Certified Birth Certificate + Photo ID
    Certified copy required — not a photocopy
  • Military ID + Service Record
    Must show U.S. birthplace on service record
  • Naturalization Certificate
    Form N-550 or N-570 from USCIS
  • Gov. Photo ID Showing U.S. Birthplace
    Federal, state, or tribal ID with birthplace

Bill's Legislative Timeline

A complete record of where the SAVE Act has been — and what has to happen for it to become law.

🏛 House of Representatives✓ Complete
Apr 2025
Original SAVE Act Passes House

First version (H.R. 22, 118th Congress) passed 220–208 on party-line vote. Required proof of citizenship to register; no photo ID provision.

House: 220–208 ✓
Apr–Dec 2025
Stalled in Senate — Never Voted On

Senate Democrats blocked floor consideration. GOP lacked 60 votes for cloture. Bill died at end of 118th Congress without Senate vote.

Senate: No vote taken
Jan 2026
SAVE America Act Introduced (119th Congress)

Strengthened version introduced in House. Added photo ID requirement for voting, mail ballot ID rules, and DHS voter-roll submission mandate.

Feb 10, 2026
House Rules Committee Approves Amendments

Key amendments adopted, including replacing the in-person poll ID requirement with a DHS voter-roll audit provision.

Feb 11, 2026
SAVE America Act Passes Full House

Passed 218–213. All Republicans voted yes; only one Democrat (Rep. Henry Cuellar, TX) crossed the aisle. Bill sent to Senate.

House: 218–213 ✓ Passed
🏛 Senate⏳ Pending
Feb 17, 2026
50 Senate Republicans Confirm Support

Enough votes for a simple majority, but the 60-vote filibuster threshold means 10 Democratic votes are needed. Zero Democrats have signaled support.

Need 60 · Have ~50 GOP
Feb 25–26, 2026
GOP Divided — Filibuster Strategy Stalls

Thune: "There aren't anywhere close to the votes to nuke the filibuster." Senators Murkowski and McConnell decline to co-sponsor. Sen. Lee proposes "talking filibuster" — conference not unified.

Ongoing
Democrats Pledge to Block

Senate Minority Leader Schumer calls bill dead on arrival. Democrats vow to use every procedural tool. No Democratic senators have indicated they will support cloture.

Filibuster: 47 Dem votes
Spring–Summer 2026
Senate Vote Expected — Outcome Uncertain

Thune has promised a floor vote. Bill likely fails cloture (60-vote threshold) unless bipartisan agreement is reached or filibuster rules change. Midterms begin in earnest in summer.

Floor vote: TBD
⚠ What You Need to Know

The bill's current Senate path is uncertain — but if it passes, implementation deadlines are immediate. Most states would have 30–180 days to enforce the new rules. Don't wait for the Senate vote to start gathering your documents.

What the News Is Saying

Every major outlet has covered this bill — from different angles. This is not a fringe issue. Read the coverage and decide for yourself.

🔴 Right-Leaning & Pro-Bill
Fox News Right-Leaning
Thune guarantees Senate vote on voter ID bill despite Democratic opposition
50 Senate Republicans back the bill; Thune committed to a floor vote. Calls it a top GOP priority heading into midterms.
The White House Official / Pro-Bill
The SAVE America Act — White House official position
Administration argues the bill aligns U.S. standards with peer democracies. Trump demanded passage at the State of the Union address.
CNBC Center-Right / Business
Senate Leader Thune throws cold water on filibuster change for voter-ID bill
Business-focused coverage of the Senate procedural standoff: Thune supports the bill but ruled out changing the filibuster, even as Trump pressures GOP leadership.
⚖️ Center & Nonpartisan
NBC News Center
House passes SAVE America Act 218–213, sending it to the Senate
Comprehensive account of the House vote, the bill's full requirements, and the Senate's 60-vote filibuster math — including the lone Democratic yes-vote.
Votebeat Nonpartisan
How the SAVE America Act would affect the 2026 elections
Election-administration analysis: only 3 states currently require citizenship proof; 27 don't require photo ID. Rushed implementation could cause widespread confusion.
Bipartisan Policy Center Nonpartisan
Five things to know about the SAVE America Act
Research brief: noncitizen voting is rare (77 verified cases in 24 years), yet Kansas and Arizona citizenship laws blocked ~12% of eligible citizens from registering.
🔵 Left-Leaning & Critical
CNN Politics Center-Left
Republicans say votes aren't there to change filibuster to pass SAVE Act
Despite Trump pressure, Senate Republicans are divided. Murkowski and McConnell declined to co-sponsor; the 60-vote threshold remains an insurmountable wall.
The 19th Left-Leaning
SAVE America Act could make it harder for married women and LGBTQ+ people to register
84% of women who marry change their surname — meaning their birth certificate no longer matches their ID. The bill creates specific burdens for this group and transgender voters.
Brennan Center Left-Leaning
New SAVE Act bills would still block millions of eligible Americans from voting
Legal analysis: 21.3 million eligible citizens lack ready proof-of-citizenship. Arizona and Kansas precedents show these laws block far more citizens than noncitizens.

Sources linked above reflect a range of editorial perspectives. We present them without endorsement.
Coverage lean labels based on widely-used media bias ratings — reasonable people may classify sources differently.

Everything You Need,
In One Kit

Modeled after the newlywed name change kit — but for your voting rights. No legal jargon, no guesswork.

Document Checklist

Fillable PDF. Check off what you have, flag what you need. Covers primary docs, photo ID, and name-match verification.

Step-by-Step Guide

The full kit guide covering all document types, how to obtain missing docs, costs, and processing times.

State-by-State Directory

Vital records offices and election offices for all 50 states with direct links. Updated annually.

Deadline Tracker

Fillable timeline template. Enter your target election and the tracker calculates your action dates backward.

Name Mismatch Guide

Visual flowchart showing exactly which bridge documents to gather for married names, legal changes, and more.

Official Resource Links

Direct links to travel.state.gov, uscis.gov, vote.gov, VitalChek, and your state election portal.

6 documents · Instant PDF download
Get the Digital Kit — $2.99
Instant access · No subscription · 30-day money-back guarantee

Laminated Checklist Card

Pocket-sized laminated card listing all accepted documents and a quick checklist. Keep it in your wallet.

8-Page Instruction Booklet

Saddle-stitched printed guide. All sections, all special situations, all resource links in a compact booklet.

Document Transport Folder

Secure branded folder for safely carrying your original documents to the election office.

State Resource Card

Pre-printed card with your state's vital records office, election office, and registration deadline.

Deadline Calendar Insert

Fill-in-the-blank calendar insert to track your document milestones from today through Election Day.

+ Digital Kit Included

Every physical kit ships with a download code for the full digital version — PDFs, tracker templates, and links.

Physical materials + digital kit included
Physical Kit — Coming Soon
Join the waitlist and we'll notify you the moment it ships.

Special Situations, Covered

The kit includes dedicated guidance for the most common document complications.

💍 Married Women & Name Changes

An estimated 69 million women have a birth certificate in a maiden name that no longer matches their ID. You'll need:

  • Birth certificate (maiden name)
  • Marriage certificate (name change)
  • Current photo ID (married name)
  • Each court order for additional name changes

🌎 Naturalized Citizens

Your primary document is your Naturalization Certificate (Form N-550). Key facts:

  • Replacement via Form N-565 takes 12–18 months
  • Filing fee is $555 (waivers available)
  • Certificate of Citizenship also accepted
  • Act immediately if you need a replacement

🏠 Natural Disaster Survivors

Lost documents in a disaster? Multiple pathways exist. FEMA and state vital records offices have expedited replacement processes, and some states allow alternative evidence with a sworn attestation. Contact your election office early.

⚠️ No Passport or Birth Certificate?

The SAVE Act includes an attestation process. You may sign a sworn statement under penalty of perjury affirming citizenship, plus submit supporting evidence. Requirements vary by state — the kit covers this state by state.

Timeline to Voting

Plan backwards from your target election. The earlier you start, the more options you have.

SAVE Act — Current Status
Passed House — Awaiting Senate Vote
Senate vote expected Spring–Summer 2026 · Updated hourly
Monitoring
12+ months out
Act Now

Document Audit

Take stock of what you have. If you need a Naturalization Certificate replacement, start the USCIS process immediately — it takes 12–18 months.

9–12 months out
Document Gathering

Obtain Missing Documents

Apply for your passport if needed (6–8 weeks standard, 2–3 weeks expedited). Order certified birth certificate from your state's vital records office.

6–9 months out
Name Review

Name Match Check

Verify all documents are consistent. Collect bridge documents — marriage certificate, court orders — to link any name changes across documents.

3–6 months out
Pre-Registration

Confirm State Requirements

Verify your state's specific SAVE Act implementation rules. Locate your county election office. Schedule an in-person appointment if required by your state.

By state deadline
Critical

Register In Person

Bring all documents to your election office in person. Present your citizenship document plus photo ID. Confirm registration is accepted and processed.

1–2 weeks after
Follow Up

Confirm Registration Status

Check your registration online or by phone. Keep copies of all documents you presented. Note your polling place.

Election Day
Vote

Cast Your Ballot ★

Bring your state-issued photo ID to the polls. Know your polling hours. Issues? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Choose Your Format

Start digital to act now. Add the physical kit when you're ready to have everything in hand.

Digital Download

Voter Readiness Kit

$2.99

Instant download. All PDFs, fillable forms, and resource links. Print at home or use digitally.

  • Full document checklist (fillable PDF)
  • Step-by-step guide (print-at-home)
  • State-by-state resource directory
  • Deadline tracker template
  • Name mismatch visual guide
  • Official government resource links
Download Now — $2.99 →

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Requirements vary by state.

Free Resource

Get the Free
Document Checklist

Not ready to purchase? Download the 1-page checklist free. See exactly which documents you need and which ones may be missing — no commitment required.