A new survey found broad support for the SAVE America Act and overwhelming agreement that only U.S. citizens should participate in American elections, though the legislation remains stalled in the Senate ahead of the November midterms.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Nearly two-thirds of likely voters support legislation requiring applicants to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering for federal elections, according to a new national survey.
The Rasmussen Reports poll found that 62% of respondents favor the SAVE America Act, including 46% who strongly support it. Thirty-three percent oppose the proposal, with 22% strongly opposed.
Rasmussen said public support has remained largely unchanged since May, even as the legislation continues to await action in the Senate.
Formally titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, the measure has cleared the House but has not advanced through the upper chamber.
The results showed substantial partisan differences over the bill itself. Eighty-four percent of Republicans support it, compared with 45% of Democrats and 58% of voters who identify as independents.
Voting history produced an even wider divide. Among respondents who supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, 88% favor the legislation. By contrast, 53% of voters who backed Kamala Harris oppose it.
Despite those political divisions, the survey found broad agreement on the underlying question of voter eligibility. Eighty-two percent of likely voters said only American citizens should be permitted to vote in U.S. elections.
That position received majority support among every political and racial group included in the survey. It was backed by 89% of Republicans, 77% of Democrats and 79% of independents.
Among racial groups, 87% of white voters said voting should be restricted to citizens, along with 67% of Black voters, 74% of Hispanic voters and 75% of respondents classified as members of other minority groups.
Concerns about unlawful voter registration were also widespread. Fifty-six percent said they believe it is at least somewhat likely that noncitizens are illegally registered to vote in their state, including 33% who said it is very likely.
Among voters who believe illegal noncitizen registration is at least somewhat likely, 92% want the Senate to approve the SAVE America Act.
Perceptions of the issue varied by party. Seventy-five percent of Republicans said it is at least somewhat likely that noncitizens are unlawfully registered in their state, compared with 44% of Democrats and 53% of independents.
Men were more likely than women to express concern about illegal registration. Sixty-two percent of male respondents considered it at least somewhat likely, compared with 52% of women.
Majorities of both groups nevertheless supported the legislation. Sixty-five percent of men favored the SAVE America Act, along with 59% of women.
Supporters face a narrowing timeline if they want the bill’s requirements to influence the November midterm elections.
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said Tuesday that Republicans still have a path to enact key portions before voters go to the polls. In an interview with Newsmax, Scott urged Senate Republicans to pursue final passage through budget reconciliation or force opponents to conduct a talking filibuster.
He argued that Republican senators should not allow the legislation to remain stalled as the chamber prepares to begin its August recess.
The latest push follows two years in which versions of the citizenship-verification proposal passed the House but failed to gain Senate approval. President Trump has also endorsed the measure.
The Rasmussen Reports survey questioned 1,156 likely voters on July 23 and July 26-27, 2026. Its margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
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