The SAVE Act: What It Is, Why It Was Proposed, What It Could Change

An overview of the SAVE Act, its proposals, policy arguments, and potential impacts on voter eligibility and election integrity in the United States.

Table of Contents

Last update: March 17, 2026

This guide is designed for easy online navigation with clickable sections. If you’d rather download or print a copy, you can get the full PDF version.

Or Continue to the Online Navigation Below 👇

Overview

• Summary
• Timeline of the SAVE Act Bills
• The SAVE Act Rationale
• Policy Arguments For and Against the SAVE Act
• How Voter Eligibility Is Verified Today

Three SAVE Act Bills in Congress

• 1) H.R 22
• 2) H.R. 7296
• 3) S.1383

SAVE Act Impact on Voters

• How the SAVE Act Would Change Voter Documentation
• Voters May Need Extra Documents on Election Day
• Why a Driver’s License Alone Isn’t Valid Proof
• Name Changes & Documentation Matching
• What Makes Voter ID Requirements More Complex Than They May Appear
• New "Safety Net" Provisions

How to Make Sure You Are Ready to Vote in Michigan

Final Tip

Articles About the SAVE Act

Overview

Summary

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a proposal in Congress that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Some versions of the legislation would also require voters to present photo identification when casting a ballot.

The proposal comes amid ongoing debate about election integrity and how voter eligibility should be verified. Concerns about voter fraud became a major political issue in the United States during and after the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Multiple investigations, court rulings, and election audits did not find evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed election outcomes. However, concerns about election integrity remain influential in American politics, and many voters say they support stronger safeguards to ensure that only eligible citizens vote.

Supporters of the SAVE Act argue that requiring documentary proof of citizenship would create a clear national standard for verifying voter eligibility and increase public confidence in elections. Opponents argue that non-citizen voting is already illegal and extremely rare, and that additional documentation requirements could make voter registration more difficult for some eligible citizens.

Several versions of the legislation are currently moving through Congress:

• H.R. 22 would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
• H.R. 7296 includes the same registration requirement and would also require photo identification when casting a ballot.
• S. 1383 is the Senate bill currently being debated after the House amended it to include SAVE Act provisions.

S. 1383 originally addressed an unrelated topic, but the House replaced the bill’s text with SAVE Act language and passed the amended bill. Because the Senate had already acted on S. 1383 earlier in the legislative session, the amended bill was returned to the Senate as the vehicle for the current debate, rather than starting the process with a new Senate bill.

On March 17, 2026, the Senate voted 51–48 to begin debate on the House-passed SAVE Act language contained in S. 1383. The vote allows senators to debate the bill and consider amendments, but the legislation must still pass the Senate before it can move forward in the legislative process.

Note: Although the proposal is often described as a “voter ID” requirement, the central provision focuses on proof of U.S. citizenship, which is different from the photo identification requirements used in many existing state voter ID laws.

Back to Top

Timeline of the SAVE Act Bills

January 3, 2025
H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).

April 10, 2025
H.R. 22 passes the House of Representatives.

April 10, 2025
H.R. 22 was received by the U.S. Senate but is not scheduled for committee review or a floor vote.

January 30, 2026
H.R. 7296 was introduced in the House by Rep. Chip Roy. The bill includes the same voter registration requirements as H.R. 22 and adds additional requirements related to voting and election administration.

February 11, 2026
H.R. 7296 passes the House of Representatives by a vote of 218–213.

March 2026
Instead of sending H.R. 7296 directly to the Senate floor, House leadership inserts the SAVE Act language into S.1383, a Senate bill that had already been introduced earlier in the legislative session. The House passes the amended S.1383 and sends it to the Senate.

Current Status (March 2026)

• H.R. 22 remains pending in the Senate.
• H.R. 7296 has passed the House, but it is not the vehicle currently under debate in the Senate.
• The House-amended S.1383 now contains the SAVE Act provisions and is the bill being considered in the Senate.

March 17, 2026: The Senate votes 51–48 to approve a motion to proceed, allowing debate to begin on the House-passed version of S.1383 containing the SAVE Act language.

What Happens Next

• Senators may debate the bill and propose amendments.
• A vote of 60 senators would be required to invoke cloture and end debate before the Senate could move to a final passage vote.

If the Senate passes a version different from the House bill, the two chambers must reconcile the differences before the legislation can be sent to the president.

Back to Top

The SAVE Act Rationale

Concerns about voter fraud have become a major political issue in the United States over the past decade, particularly after the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. During those elections and afterward, President Donald Trump and some allies repeatedly claimed that widespread voter fraud had occurred, including allegations of illegal votes.

These claims led to numerous investigations, lawsuits, and election audits. Courts, state election officials from both parties, and federal agencies reviewed the allegations but did not find evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed election outcomes.

Despite those findings, concerns about election integrity remain influential in American politics. Some lawmakers argue that stronger voter verification requirements are needed to increase public confidence in elections, while others argue that additional restrictions could make voting more difficult for eligible citizens.

Key Facts About Voter Fraud

Voter fraud is illegal under federal and state law. Non-citizens are prohibited from voting in federal elections, and violations can carry criminal penalties.

• Documented voter impersonation is extremely rare. A widely cited study reviewing elections from 2000–2014 found 31 credible cases of voter impersonation out of more than 1 billion ballots cast. (Source: Brennan Center for Justice analysis of election records.)
• Confirmed cases of election fraud do occur, but they represent a very small share of total ballots cast. The Heritage Foundation’s Election Fraud Database lists more than 1,500 proven cases across several decades. These cases include absentee ballot violations, vote buying, registration fraud, and ballot tampering. (Source: Heritage Foundation Election Fraud Database.)
• Investigations following the 2020 election—including court cases, state audits, and reviews by the U.S. Department of Justice—did not find evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the outcome of the election. (Source: Associated Press reporting and court records.)
• When election fraud does occur, it most often involves absentee ballots or administrative violations rather than impersonation at polling places.

Key Facts About Election Law Violations in Michigan

Michigan elections involve millions of ballots: more than 7 million people are active registered voters, and 5.5 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election.

A review by the Michigan Department of State identified 15 potential non-citizen voting cases in the 2024 general election, with 13 referred for possible prosecution.

Election law violations do occur and are prosecuted under Michigan law. Compared with the total number of ballots cast, documented violations represent a very small fraction of votes.

Source

• Michigan Department of State review confirms instances of noncitizen voting are extremely rare
• State of Michigan Election Results and Data

Evidence From Investigations and Audits

After the 2020 presidential election, dozens of lawsuits were filed challenging election results in several states. Courts—including judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents—dismissed many of these cases due to lack of evidence or legal standing.

Federal and state officials also conducted reviews of election processes. The U.S. Department of Justice, state election administrators, and independent audits did not find evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the outcome of the election.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the federal agency responsible for election security, described the 2020 election as “the most secure in American history.”

Why the Debate Continues

Despite these findings, election integrity remains a major political issue for many voters. Some lawmakers argue that stronger verification systems—such as voter ID requirements or proof-of-citizenship rules—are necessary to restore public confidence in elections.

Others argue that repeated claims of widespread fraud, especially when not supported by evidence, can undermine trust in election systems and democratic institutions.

Because of these competing perspectives, debates over election laws—including proposals like the SAVE Act—often focus on how to balance election security, voter access, and public trust.

Back to Top

Policy Arguments For and Against the SAVE Act

The stated purpose of the SAVE Act is to prevent non-citizens from registering to vote and to strengthen verification of voter eligibility in federal elections. The debate reflects different views about how voter eligibility should be verified in federal elections and what level of documentation should be required.

The table below summarizes the main policy arguments raised by supporters and opponents of the legislation.

While this table summarizes the main policy arguments raised by each side, public debate around election laws often includes stronger political claims about the motives of the opposing party.

Political Rhetoric That Often Appears in the Debate

In addition to policy arguments, debate about election laws often includes strong political rhetoric about the motives of the opposing party. The table below summarizes common claims made during political debate around voting laws like the SAVE Act.

Understanding the policy debate around the SAVE Act requires understanding how voter eligibility is currently verified in the United States. Today, most states rely on a combination of voter attestation, identity verification through government databases, and voter roll maintenance procedures. The SAVE Act would change this process by requiring documentary proof of citizenship as part of voter registration for federal elections.

Back to Top

How Voter Eligibility Is Verified Today

In the United States, voter eligibility is primarily verified by the states. Each state administers its own elections and maintains its own voter registration system, although federal law establishes certain baseline rules.

Under current federal law, most states rely on voter self-attestation of citizenship combined with identity verification through government databases.

1) Voter Documentation

When registering to vote in most states, individuals must:

• Declare under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens and eligible to vote
• Provide identifying information such as a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number

If a voter registers by mail or online and the identity cannot be confirmed through these databases, the voter must provide identification the first time they vote.

Acceptable identification varies by state but may include:

• Michigan driver’s license
• Michigan state ID
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID
• Student ID (from certain institutions)
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Government document showing name and address

These documents confirm identity and residency, not citizenship.

2) Voter Identity Verification

States then verify identity by checking the information against government databases, such as:

• State driver’s license records
• Social Security Administration databases

3) Voter Roll Maintenance

In addition, election officials maintain voter rolls using other government records, including:

• Death records
• Change-of-address data
• Voter participation records
• Interstate data systems used to identify people who may have moved

Under this system, citizenship is generally affirmed by the voter rather than proven with documentation, and identity verification occurs through database matching.

Back to Top

Three SAVE Act Bills in Congress

Current Legislative Vehicle: Although the SAVE Act was introduced as H.R.22 and later expanded in H.R.7296, the version currently being debated in the Senate is S.1383. The House amended that Senate bill by replacing its original text with SAVE Act language, making S.1383 the legislative vehicle for the current debate.

1) H.R 22

Bill Summary

• Bill Website
• Bill Text

H.R. 22, known as the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), was introduced to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. While it passed the House in 2025, it serves as the legislative foundation for the more expansive voting requirements currently being debated in the Senate.

The registration requirement applies to all methods:

• Motor vehicle offices (DMV)
• Mail-in registration
• Voter registration agencies
• In-person registration

Required Documentation to Register to Vote

People already registered to vote would not be automatically removed from the voter rolls; however, states would be required to actively verify citizenship and may require proof if eligibility is questioned.

In Michigan, a driver’s license—even a REAL ID—would generally not be sufficient on its own to meet the bill’s citizenship documentation requirement. Voters would typically also need a document proving U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport.

1) Valid: Stand-alone documents that may satisfy the citizenship requirement

• 5A REAL ID–compliant identification that indicates U.S. Citizenship. Michigan is one of five states that offers an Enhanced Driver’s License, which costs $30-$45.
• 5A valid U.S. passport, which costs approximately $183.
• 5A U.S. military ID plus a military service record showing the person was born in the United States
• 5A government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or tribal) that shows the person’s place of birth in the United States

2) Valid: Government photo ID plus supporting citizenship document

If the photo ID does not show U.S. citizenship, it must be accompanied by one of the following:

• A certified U.S. birth certificate
• A U.S. hospital record of birth created at the time of birth
• A final adoption decree showing the person was born in the United States
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or certification of such a report
• U.S. Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship
• Any other federal document issued under immigration law that proves U.S. citizenship
• An American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security with classification “KIC”

Bill Status

• Introduced: January 3, 2025, by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
• Passed by the House: April 10, 2025 (Vote: 220–208).
• Current Senate Status: Received in the Senate and placed on the Senate Calendar.

H.R. 22 remains pending in the Senate. While the Senate is currently debating SAVE Act language contained in S.1383, H.R. 22 continues to exist as a separate bill that focuses primarily on proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration.

Back to Top

2) H.R. 7296

Bill Summary

• Bill Website
• Bill Text

After H.R. 22 stalled in the Senate, a new bill, H.R. 7296, was introduced in the House in January 2026 with similar provisions and additional requirements.

H.R. 7296 includes similar documentation requirements for voter registration as H.R. 22, requiring photo identification together with proof of U.S. Citizenship.

Introducing a new bill does not cancel or replace the earlier one. H.R. 22 remains pending in the Senate unless it is withdrawn or acted on, while H.R. 7296 begins a separate legislative process in the House.

Added Requirements

Under H.R. 7296, voters would be required to present photo identification when casting a ballot. Unless a state has already verified a voter’s citizenship in its records, a standard driver’s license that does not indicate citizenship would not be sufficient on its own.

• In-person voting
  • Voters must present an eligible photo identification document
  • The document must be physical (not digital)
  • The document must be presented at the polling place
• Absentee voting
  • Voters must include a copy of an eligible photo identification document:
    • With the request for an absentee ballot
    • With the returned absentee ballot
• Eligible photo identification document
  • The photo ID must be issued by one of the following authorities:
    • state agency that issues driver’s licenses
    • A state or local election office
    • A Native tribal government
    • The U.S. Department of State
    • The U.S. Department of Defense
    • A branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
    • School and college IDs do not qualify
  • The required photo ID to cast a ballot must contain:
    • A photograph of the voter
    • An indication that the voter is a U.S. citizen (unless citizenship has already been verified by the state)
    • One of the following
      • An identification number issued by the licensing authority
      • The last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number
• Use of additional documentation with photo ID:
  • A photo ID that does not indicate U.S. citizenship may only be used if it is presented together with another document that confirms U.S. citizenship

Bill Status

• Introduced: January 30, 2026, by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
• Passed by the House: February 11, 2026 (Vote: 218–213).
• Current Senate Status: Not under direct consideration

3) S.1383

Bill Summary

• Bill Website
• Bill Text

S.1383 originally began as the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025. The House later amended the bill by striking the original text and replacing it with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also called the SAVE America Act.

The amended legislation would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and would establish nationwide photo identification requirements for casting ballots in those elections.

Like the House SAVE Act proposals, the amended bill modifies portions of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to establish new federal standards for voter registration verification and voter identification.

Why Congress Is Using S.1383

Although earlier SAVE Act proposals were introduced as H.R.22 and H.R.7296 in the House, the House later amended S.1383 by striking the original bill text and inserting the SAVE America Act language.

This type of amendment replaces the contents of an existing bill while keeping the same bill number. Congress sometimes uses an existing bill as a legislative vehicle when it has already advanced through part of the legislative process.

Because the Senate had previously passed S.1383, the House was able to amend it and return the bill to the Senate for consideration of the new text rather than starting the process with a completely new Senate bill.

Citizenship Verification for Voter Registration

Under the amended bill, states could not accept or process a voter registration application for federal elections unless the applicant provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship at the time of registration.

The bill lists examples of acceptable documentation, including:

• Identification issued consistent with the REAL ID Act that indicates the applicant is a U.S. citizen
• A valid U.S. passport
• A U.S. military identification card together with military service records showing a U.S. place of birth

If the identification does not independently demonstrate citizenship, it may be used together with additional documentation such as:

• A certified birth certificate
• A hospital record of birth created at the time of birth
• A final adoption decree showing U.S. birth
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
• Other federal documentation proving citizenship under immigration law

Additional State Responsibilities

The amended bill would also require states to take ongoing steps to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote in federal elections. These provisions include:

• Requiring voter registration agencies and motor vehicle agencies to verify citizenship documentation during registration
• Establishing procedures to address discrepancies in names or documentation when verifying citizenship
• Allowing states to compare voter registration lists with federal immigration databases such as the SAVE system
• Requiring states to remove individuals from voter rolls when verified information shows they are not U.S. citizens

Federal Photo Identification Requirement for Voting

The amended bill would also create a new federal requirement for voters to present valid photo identification when casting a ballot in federal elections.

In-person voting

Voters would be required to present a valid physical photo identification before receiving a ballot.

Voting by mail or absentee

Voters submitting a ballot other than in person would need to include either:

• A copy of valid photo identification, or
• The last four digits of their Social Security number, together with an affidavit stating that they were unable to obtain a copy of their photo identification after making reasonable efforts.

Acceptable photo identification could include:

• A state-issued driver's license with a photo
• A state-issued identification card with a photo
• A U.S. passport
• A military identification card
• A tribal identification card with a photo

If a voter does not present the required identification at the polling place, the bill allows the individual to cast a provisional ballot and later provide identification for the ballot to be counted.

Bill Status

• Introduced in the Senate: April 9, 2025 (originally the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act).
• Passed Senate (original bill text).
• Passed House with amendment replacing the bill text with the SAVE America Act: February 11, 2026.
• February 12, 2026: House amendment to the Senate bill received in the Senate and placed at the desk.
• March 17, 2026: The Senate voted 51–48 to approve a motion to proceed to the House-amended version of S.1383. The motion allows the Senate to begin debate and consider amendments, but does not pass the bill.

Current Status

The Senate is now debating the House-passed version of the SAVE America Act contained in S.1383. The vote to proceed allows debate and amendments, but does not pass the bill.

For the bill to become law, the Senate must still:

• Approve the amended bill text (or a revised version).
• Ensure the House and Senate pass identical language.
• Send the final bill to the President for signature or veto.

Context of the current debate

Senate leadership has indicated that the bill may remain on the Senate floor for an extended debate period as lawmakers discuss amendments and attempt to build support for the legislation

Back to Top

SAVE Act Impact on Voters

How the SAVE Act Would Change Voter Documentation

Back to Top

Voters May Need Additional Documentation When Registering

States would be required to verify citizenship before registering voters for federal elections. In practice, this could occur through government database checks or by requiring applicants to provide documentation. How this process would work in practice could vary by state because election administration is handled at the state level, and states differ in their laws, data-sharing authority, and technical systems.

1: The state verifies citizenship ahead of time (easier for voters)

• When you register, the state may verify citizenship using government records or databases
• Your voter record is marked as “citizenship verified” before Election Day
• On Election Day, you show a normal photo ID (like a driver’s license) and vote
• You do not need to bring a birth certificate to the polling place

2: The voter may need to prove citizenship at the polls

• The state has not verified citizenship ahead of time, so your record is not marked “citizenship verified.”
• On Election Day, you must show a photo ID
• If your photo ID does not indicate U.S. citizenship, you must also show proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate)

Voters can confirm their registration is active through their state’s voter lookup, and if new federal requirements were adopted, states would be required to notify voters if additional documentation is needed.

Back to Top

Why a Driver’s License Alone Isn’t Valid Proof

In most states, a standard REAL ID driver’s license would not meet the proof of U.S. citizenship requirement because:

• REAL ID status alone generally does not prove citizenship
• Many non-citizens can legally receive REAL ID–compliant licenses
• Most REAL ID driver’s licenses do not indicate citizenship on the card
• For a REAL ID to qualify on its own, it must:
  • Be REAL ID–compliant and
  • Explicitly indicate that the holder is a U.S. citizen

Name Changes & Documentation Matching

The Issue

Some voters have identification documents issued under different legal names. For example, a birth certificate may list a person’s maiden name, while a driver’s license and voter registration reflect a married name.

Why This Can Matter

If proof of citizenship is required during voter registration or voting, election officials may need to confirm that documents showing different names refer to the same person. In those cases, voters may need to provide additional documentation linking the names.

Examples of documents that may help establish this connection include:

• certified marriage certificate
• divorce decree reflecting a name change
• court order documenting a legal name change

Estimated Impact

Some researchers estimate that millions of Americans have identification documents under different names due to marriage or other legal changes.

Preparing Documentation

Voters who have changed their legal name may wish to keep documentation available that connects their current name to the name appearing on their birth certificate or other citizenship document.

The Most Complete Document: A U.S. Passport.

Why: A valid unexpired U.S. Passport already proves both your citizenship and your current legal name (if updated). It is the single best document to bypass the name-mismatch mess.

The "Bridge" Document: Certified Marriage License.

Why: If you rely on your birth certificate for citizenship proof, you will likely need your original or certified copy of your marriage license (not the fancy commemorative one) to legally "bridge" the gap between your birth name and your voter registration name.

 Back to Top 

What Makes Voter ID Requirements More Complex Than They May Appear

Voter identification requirements are often viewed as straightforward. Identification is commonly used for everyday activities such as driving, banking, boarding flights, or purchasing age-restricted products. From that perspective, it can seem reasonable to assume that nearly everyone already has the identification needed to vote.

In reality, access to government-issued identification and the underlying documents required to obtain it can vary widely depending on a person’s circumstances.

Not everyone has a government-issued photo ID.

Research by the Brennan Center for Justice estimates that roughly 11% of U.S. citizens of voting age—about 21 million people—do not have a current government-issued photo ID.

The rates are higher among certain populations, including older adults, lower-income individuals, and some minority communities.

Obtaining ID often requires other official documents.

To obtain a driver’s license or state ID card, individuals usually must present documents such as:

• a certified birth certificate
• a passport
• proof of Social Security number
• proof of current address

For people who do not have these documents readily available, obtaining them can require additional steps, fees, and travel.

Some documents can be difficult to replace.

Birth certificates are typically issued by the state or county where a person was born. If someone was born in another state—or if records were lost, damaged, or never formally recorded—replacing those documents can take time and may require multiple forms of identification.

Name changes can also create complications. For example, some married voters may have a birth certificate in one name and other documents in another, requiring additional paperwork to reconcile the records.

Transportation and office access can be barriers.

In many areas, particularly rural communities, driver’s license offices or state ID offices may be located far from where people live. Limited office hours, transportation challenges, or work schedules can make it difficult for some individuals to obtain or renew identification.

Cost can also play a role.

While some states offer free voter identification cards, the supporting documents needed to obtain them—such as certified birth certificates—often involve fees. Travel costs and time off work can also add to the burden.

Certain populations are more likely to face these challenges.

Research has found higher rates of missing identification among:

• • older Americans who may have been born before standardized birth records were common in some regions
  • lower-income individuals who may lack transportation or documentation
  • people who move frequently and may struggle to maintain consistent address documentation
  • individuals who have changed their name due to marriage or other life events
  • While the requirements are strict, the legislation (H.R. 22 and H.R. 7296) includes specific protections for voters with documentation challenges:
  • Alternative verification procedures: The legislation allows states to establish procedures for individuals who cannot readily obtain documentary proof of citizenship. These may include providing additional evidence or sworn statements under penalty of perjury, depending on how the law is implemented.
  • Name Change Attestation: To protect voters whose current legal name differs from their birth certificate (common for married women), the law allows for a signed attestation swearing to the accuracy of the name change to "bridge the gap" between documents.

New "Safety Net" Provisions

• While the requirements are strict, the legislation (H.R. 22 and H.R. 7296) includes specific protections for voters with documentation challenges:
• Alternative verification procedures: The legislation allows states to establish procedures for individuals who cannot readily obtain documentary proof of citizenship. These may include providing additional evidence or sworn statements under penalty of perjury, depending on how the law is implemented.
• Name Change Attestation: To protect voters whose current legal name differs from their birth certificate (common for married women), the law allows for a signed attestation swearing to the accuracy of the name change to "bridge the gap" between documents.

How to Make Sure You Are Ready to Vote in Michigan

If you plan to vote in Michigan, the most important step is to make sure your voter registration and identification are up to date before Election Day. Michigan provides several tools that allow residents to check their registration status, update information, and understand what to bring to the polls.

1. Check Your Voter Registration

Before every election, confirm that you are registered and that your address is correct.

You can check your voter registration through the Michigan Voter Information Center:

Michigan Voter Information Center
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us

This official state website allows you to:

• Verify your voter registration status
• Confirm your polling location
• View your ballot for upcoming elections
• Track absentee ballot requests and returns

If you are not registered, Michigan allows same-day voter registration, including on Election Day, at your local city or township clerk’s office.

2. Register to Vote

You can register to vote in Michigan in several ways:

Online (if you have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID)
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/RegisterVoter

In person at your local clerk’s office.

By mail using a voter registration form.

If registering within 14 days of an election, you must register in person at your local clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

3. Understand Michigan Voter ID Rules

Michigan law allows voters to cast a ballot even if they do not have photo identification available at the polling place.

When voting in person:

• If you have a photo ID, you will be asked to show it.
• If you do not have an ID, you can still vote by signing a voter identification affidavit affirming your identity.

Accepted photo IDs include:

• Michigan driver’s license
• Michigan state ID card
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID
• Student ID (from certain institutions)

4. Request an Absentee Ballot

Michigan voters have the option to vote absentee without providing a reason.

You can request an absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication

You can:

• Request an absentee ballot
• Track your absentee ballot
• Verify it was received and counted

5. Nonpartisan Voting Information

Several nonpartisan organizations provide voter education tools to help people prepare for elections.

Vote411 (League of Women Voters), https://www.vote411.org, provides:

• Candidate information
• Ballot previews
• Voting deadlines
• Election information by address

 Back to Top 

Final Tip

Election rules and deadlines can change, and local procedures may vary slightly by community. The best way to stay informed is to verify your information through the Michigan Secretary of State’s voter information website and contact your local clerk’s office if you have questions.

Checking your registration and understanding the process ahead of time can help ensure your vote is counted.

 Back to Top 

Articles About the SAVE Act

Recent News

Neutral News Reporting

Policy and Political Analysis

Opinion/ Editorial Perspective

Back to Top