“Let’s make one thing unequivocally clear: this is not a federal takeover of elections — it’s a long-overdue corrective,” said Cuccinelli. “The SAVE Act simply ensures states do what they already should — verify that every person on the federal voter rolls is a U.S. citizen.” – Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative and former Virginia Attorney General
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2026
Arlington, VA — Februrary 4, 2026 Election Transparency Initiative (ETI) Chairman Ken Cuccinelli today reiterated his full support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22), urging the U.S. Senate to pass the measure without delay.
The bill — which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration — would bring federal elections in line with the legal requirement that voters in federal elections must be U.S. citizens and reaffirm the principle that states control election administration. Just as importantly, the SAVE Act strengthens the accuracy of voter rolls — something Americans reasonably assume is already happening, but too often is not.
“Let’s make one thing unequivocally clear: this is not a federal takeover of elections — it’s a long-overdue corrective,” said Cuccinelli. “The SAVE Act simply ensures states do what they already should — verify that every person on the federal voter rolls is a U.S. citizen.”
Passed by the House on a bipartisan basis and now awaiting Senate action, the SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require documentary proof of citizenship, similar to the citizenship proof found in the REAL ID Act, for federal voter registration. Currently, applicants need only self-attest to their citizenship, a gap the bill would close.
In a joint statement last year with Sen. Mike Lee, Cuccinelli highlighted real-world examples of noncitizens improperly on voter rolls and stressed that confidence in election outcomes depends on clear, enforceable eligibility standards.
Cuccinelli also drew on his congressional testimony before the House Administration Committee on April 27, 2023, where he emphasized that states hold primary responsibility for election administration under the Constitution and that the federal role should be to facilitate, not seize, that responsibility. In that hearing, he noted that fair, free, secure, and transparent elections begin with basic safeguards — including accurate voter rolls and proper verification of voter qualifications. Cuccinelli explained that unchecked claims about federal solutions or accusations of “federal takeover” undermine public trust and distract from practical, state-driven reforms that strengthen elections.
Critics of the SAVE Act have attempted to mischaracterize it as an effort to nationalize elections or suppress access. Cuccinelli responded, “That narrative is not supported by the text of the bill, constitutional law, or the practical realities of how elections are run. Ensuring only eligible citizens are registered — especially for federal elections — is fundamental, not radical.”
He continued: “We have a rare opportunity for Congress to grow a spine and defend the republic. Passing the SAVE Act is not about federal control; it’s about giving states the tools they need to protect the vote of every eligible American citizen.”
The Election Transparency Initiative, a partnership between the American Principles Project (APP) and Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, was organized to combat federal H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 legislation and advocate for state-based election reforms that voters can trust. ETI advocates for practical reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in America’s elections.
Media Availability
Chairman Ken Cuccinelli is available for interviews regarding the SAVE Act and related election integrity reforms. Media inquiries may be submitted via ETI’s contact form: electiontransparency.org/contact.
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