Congress Must Pass The SAVE Act Now, Because Ballot Integrity Can’t Wait

As we look ahead to the pivotal 2026 congressional midterm elections, the urgency to safeguard our nation’s elections has never been greater. At the very core of our Republic is the right of every American citizen to have their vote count. Today, that right is under threat, and the integrity of the next election hangs in the balance.

That’s why Tea Party Patriots Action is hitting the road with a three-week nationwide bus tour to rally support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, making important stops in Scottsdale and Tucson on August 20. At each stop, we’ll be calling on Arizonans to join us and sign a petition urging Congress to make passage of the SAVE Act a top priority and attach it to must-pass legislation this year.

Under current federal law, registering to vote in federal elections only requires an applicant to check a box and sign a form affirming U.S. citizenship. No document is required. This loophole has created confusion and opened the door to error and even abuse. The Grand Canyon State is effectively forced to accept weaker federal requirements for federal races, leaving Arizonans with a fractured, two-tier system: stricter standards for some elections, and much looser standards for federal offices, including the president and Congress.

Is it any surprise that millions of voters are losing faith? This patchwork approach sows confusion and suspicion – conditions that undermine the credibility of our democracy. Every American deserves a straightforward, secure, and uniform approach for every federal ballot.

The SAVE Act is precisely the solution we need. It would require anyone attempting to register to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of citizenship, closing this glaring loophole and ensuring equal standards nationwide. By granting states access to federal data, the SAVE Act would also help keep voter rolls accurate and up-to-date, making certain that only eligible citizens are registered.

This is not a partisan issue; it’s common sense. And it’s what the American people want. According to a survey conducted for Tea Party Patriots Action, 87 percent of Americans – including a strong majority of Republicans, Democrats, and independents – support requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. More than 80 percent say only U.S. citizens should decide who governs our country. Americans are united in this belief.

Election security and robust voter participation go hand in hand, and the SAVE Act promotes exactly that. Protecting our elections with strong, fair safeguards encourages more eligible Americans to participate, knowing their vote will be counted and their voice will be heard.

This spring, the House passed the SAVE Act, thanks to steadfast leadership from lawmakers such as Arizona’s Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abraham Hamadeh, and David Schweikert, who know what’s at stake. Notably, four House Democrats crossed over to vote for the SAVE Act, but in the Senate, at least seven Democratic votes are required for passage. That’s where constituent action comes in. Arizonans should contact Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, and urge them to join this bipartisan effort to restore faith in our elections.

Passing the SAVE Act will end confusion, eliminate double standards, and restore faith in our federal elections. Most importantly, it will protect the value of citizenship and the sacred right to vote for every law-abiding American.

This is the moment to act. The consequences of compromised elections are too serious to ignore. That’s why the SAVE Act should be attached to must-pass legislation, such as the appropriations bills or the National Defense Authorization Act, to increase the likelihood of it becoming law. Congress must deliver on the secure, trustworthy elections that Americans demand and deserve.

Jenny Beth Martin is Honorary Chairman of Tea Party Patriots Action.  Jake Hoffman is an Arizona state senator in Arizona’s 15^th district.