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AJR 194

Urges US Senate to pass federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Fantasia and 4 co-sponsors

Urges federal passage of the SAVE Act to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and allow federal data checks to remove ineligible voters.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
#memorializat
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AJR 194

AJR 194 (New Jersey) — Summary

Overview

AJR 194 is a New Jersey joint resolution memorializing the United States Senate to pass the federal Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Introduced in the Assembly on September 19, 2024, and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, the measure takes effect immediately and is paired with a companion in the Senate (SJR 128).

  • Bill type: Joint Resolution (memorial)
  • Introduced: September 19, 2024
  • Committee: Assembly State and Local Government
  • Status: Introduced and referred; immediate effect if enacted
  • Companion: SJR 128

Purpose and Intent

The resolution urges federal action to enact the SAVE Act, citing concerns about the integrity and security of federal elections and the potential for noncitizens being registered to vote due to current NVRA-driven procedures and automatic voter registration practices.

Background and Context

  • NVRA (National Voter Registration Act of 1993, “motor voter” law) requires states to offer voter registration when applying for/renewing a driver’s license.
  • Automatic voter registration (AVR) in about half the states and D.C. can, in some cases, register noncitizens due to registration linked to government interactions.
  • Reported instances of incorrect registrations of noncitizens in several states have raised concerns about election integrity and public confidence.
    • Examples cited: noncitizen registrations in PA (2006–2017), CA (2018), IL (2018–2019).
  • Public opinion data referenced include a 2023 Bipartisan Policy Center survey showing concern about counting ineligible votes.

Key Provisions of the SAVE Act (as described in AJR 194)

  • Amend NVRA to require documentary proof of United States citizenship and identity before registering to vote in federal elections.
  • Create a program to verify registrants’ citizenship status.
  • Establish acceptable documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, including: 1) A form of ID consistent with the REAL ID Act of 2005 2) A valid U.S. passport 3) U.S. military identification card and service records showing U.S. birth 4) A valid government-issued photo ID listing birth in the U.S. 5) A valid government-issued photo ID plus a birth record showing U.S. birth
  • Authorize states to access federal databases to maintain and update voter rolls and identify/remove ineligible voters.
  • Status in Congress: The SAVE Act was voted out of the U.S. House on July 10, 2024 and was awaiting action in the Senate at the time described in AJR 194.

Effect on New Jersey and Scope

  • AJR 194 does not change New Jersey election law directly; it seeks to influence federal policy by urging federal enactment of the SAVE Act.
  • If the SAVE Act becomes law, it would impose federal requirements on all states for federal elections, including proof-of-citizenship documentation and federal data access for voter-roll maintenance.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Immediate effect upon enactment of the joint resolution (per NJ text).
  • Transmits copies to U.S. Senate leadership, U.S. House leadership, and all New Jersey members of Congress.
  • Related legislation: SJR 128 (the Senate companion to AJR 194).

Summary

AJR 194 is a symbolic, federal-issues-focused measure urging passage of the SAVE Act to strengthen eligibility verification for federal elections, reduce the potential for noncitizen registrations, and enhance voter-roll integrity through documentary proof of citizenship and federal data sharing. It reflects New Jersey’s stance on election security and calls for swift federal action, with the resolution expected to move through the state legislature like other memorial resolutions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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