Save Democracy Act

Save Democracy Act

This bill addresses issues involving voter registration, casting of ballots, and tabulation of ballots in federal elections.

Specifically, regarding voter registration for federal elections, the bill

• prohibits the use of automatic voter registration systems,
• requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote,
• requires individuals to provide their full Social Security number on their voter registration application, and
• requires courts to notify state election officials when an individual is recused from jury duty because the individual is not a U.S. citizen.

Next, regarding the casting of ballots in federal elections, the bill

• requires individuals to provide proof of identification for absentee and in-person voting,
• prohibits states from mailing unrequested absentee ballots,
• prohibits the use of a drop box for collecting voted absentee ballots unless it is located inside of a building that serves as an office for the election official,
• restricts the delivery of ballots by third parties (i.e., prohibits ballot harvesting),
• requires that absentee ballots be received before the polls close on election day, and
• requires states to use Social Security numbers to verify the identification of each individual who casts a ballot.

Finally, regarding the tabulation of ballots in federal elections, the bill

• requires states to permit poll watching by at least two campaign representatives per campaign,
• requires continuous counting of ballots after the closure of polling places on election day, and
• requires an audit of voting systems.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov