A majority of likely voters back the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a proposed law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, according to a new poll.
Those who support the legislation make up 62% of likely voters compared with 33% who oppose it, according to a Wednesday survey from Rasmussen Reports.
The SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of citizenship, generally a passport or certified birth certificate, presented in person before a federal voter registration application can be accepted.
There is a sharp partisan gap, as 84% of Republicans, 58% of unaffiliated voters and 45% of Democrats support the bill.
As for demographic splits, men, at 65%, support it slightly more than women, at 59%.
Majorities of every racial group say only citizens should vote, with Black voters the most supportive of the SAVE Act specifically among minority groups.
A majority of 2024 Trump voters support it, at 88%, while 53% of former Vice President Kamala Harris voters oppose it.
The underlying principle of the bill has broad agreement, with 82% saying only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in U.S. elections, and 12% disagreeing. Those who agree only citizens should vote make up 89% of Republicans, 79% of unaffiliated voters and 77% of Democrats.
Rasmussen’s numbers also track other polling.
A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll in February found 71% overall support, including 91% of Republicans, 69% of independents and 50% of Democrats.
Suspicion about noncitizen registration is widespread.
Over half think it’s at least somewhat likely noncitizens are illegally registered in their state, with 33% saying it’s “very likely,” according to Rasmussen’s poll. Of that group, 92% want the Senate to pass the bill.
A previous version passed the House in April 2025, and an updated text made it through the lower chamber in February on a near party-line vote.
The version currently moving through Congress has grown beyond the original registration requirement, now requiring photo ID before casting any ballot, including by mail, and mandating that states run their voter rolls through a Department of Homeland Security citizenship-check system.
President Trump, who has made the bill his top legislative priority, has publicly demanded that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Dakota Republican, keep the upper chamber in session through the August recess until it passes the bill or eliminate the filibuster outright to pass it.
Mr. Thune has repeatedly said there are not 50 votes to scrap the legislative filibuster, and not a single Democrat supports it.
The SAVE America Act is notably absent from his pre-recess floor schedule.
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