TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey publicly voiced his opposition this week to the Secure America’s Vote and Elections (SAVE) Act, which would require individuals to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate—in order to register to vote in federal elections.
The bill, which passed the House and is now advancing to the Senate, has drawn criticism from Democrats who argue it creates burdensome requirements that disproportionately impact certain voters. In a public statement, Kim questioned the necessity of the legislation and raised concerns about its practical effects.
“You need proof of citizenship, basically. It would make it easier to buy a gun in America than to vote,” Kim said. “It just imposes this type of documentation that the vast majority of Americans don’t have on hand, easily accessible.”
The legislation comes amid broader efforts by Republican lawmakers to tighten election laws, citing the need to protect against voter fraud. But Kim pushed back on the premise, pointing to the lack of verified instances of widespread illegal voting in recent federal elections.
“We are yet to see any evidence of widespread voter fraud,” Kim said. He added that even in the 2016 election, when Donald Trump was elected, Republican officials raised no significant complaints about voter registration issues.
Documentation requirements under scrutiny
Critics of the SAVE Act say the bill would disproportionately affect married women and older voters who may not have original documents that match their current legal names. Kim specifically noted that for women who have changed their names after marriage, “the birth certificate is not even enough.”
If enacted, the law would require proof of citizenship beyond standard voter registration documentation in many states. Current federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting, but proof of citizenship is not universally required at registration.
Supporters of the bill argue it would close potential loopholes and protect election integrity. The bill’s prospects in the Senate remain uncertain.
Sen. Kim calls new proof-of-citizenship bill a ‘disproportionate barrier’ for everyday voters
