DeSantis Signs SAVE Act Requiring Citizenship Proof to Vote, Lawsuit Filed

DeSantis signed Florida's version of the SAVE America Act requiring proof of citizenship.

Voting rights groups filed a federal lawsuit within hours to block the law as unconstitutional.

Democracy Docket

The law aligns with the state constitution but opponents warn it will disenfranchise over a million Floridians.

DeSantis anticipated the lawsuit as a song and dance.

The lawsuit contends the law violates the First and 14th Amendments.

It warns the law will target vulnerable populations including older Black voters and naturalized citizens.

Florida Politics

Similar laws in other states have resulted in disenfranchisement before being struck down.

The ACLU called it one of the worst voter suppression laws in modern American history.

The law requires citizenship paperwork and a photo ID when registering and before voting.

Verification leans on existing state data for REAL ID holders.

Individuals without citizenship on file have 30 days to provide documentation or face removal.

The law also requires all voting to be done using paper ballots.

DeSantis signed the law hours after Trump enacted an executive order on voting.

The law comes as Florida prepares for a crucial 2026 midterm election.

NBC News

Critics argue the law will disproportionately affect vulnerable voters.

Polling and legal challenges suggest the fight over election laws will remain.