Close Elections Prove SAVE Act Necessity Despite Rare Noncitizen Voting
Source: Brianna Lyman. "NC's Two-Vote Race Is Exactly Why The SAVE Act Is Necessary." March 5, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
When elections are decided by just a few votes, we can't rely on people's honesty about their citizenship status. The SAVE Act would require actual proof of citizenship to vote, which is necessary because even a small number of illegal votes could change the outcome of very close races.
Conclusion
The SAVE America Act is necessary to prevent noncitizen voting from deciding elections
Premises
- The North Carolina Senate race is separated by only two votes, showing how small margins can determine election outcomes
- Current voter registration relies on an honor system where people simply check a box claiming citizenship under penalty of perjury
- Even rare instances of noncitizen voting can be decisive when elections have razor-thin margins
- Once an illegal ballot is cast and counted, it cannot be removed from the total, making prevention crucial
- The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship and voter ID, providing stronger safeguards than current law
Assumptions
- Noncitizen voting, while rare, does occur in American elections
- Documentary proof requirements would effectively prevent noncitizen voting without significantly burdening legitimate voters
- Election integrity measures are more important when margins are close
- The current honor system is insufficient protection against illegal voting