A prominent conservative organization is set to kick off a nationwide bus tour this month. The aim is to push lawmakers to enforce laws requiring proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections.
As highlighted in a statement to Hill, the Tea Party Patriot Action, a major grassroots conservative group, is organizing a three-week bus tour that will stop in over a dozen states.
The group is urging lawmakers to support the SAVE Act, which mandates requiring evidence of citizenship for voting in federal elections as part of backing legislation like the Budget Resolution and the Annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“Mainstream media claims that asking for proof of citizenship is redundant since non-citizen voting is illegal,” stated Jenny Beth Martin, a co-founder of the organization. “What they fail to mention is that there’s currently no way to enforce the law. The SAVE Act addresses this gap, ensuring that the laws are appropriately followed.”
The tour will kick off in California and wind through border areas to draw attention to immigration issues. It will then head east, visiting states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where advocates are urging senators to support the SAVE Act.
The tour will conclude in early September with an event in Washington, D.C., where group leaders plan to deliver petitions to Congress.
This bus tour is part of a month of heightened activities aimed at advocating for legislation that supports citizenship verification in voting.
Earlier this April, the House of Representatives approved the Save Act, officially titled “Save American Voters Qualifications (SAVE) Act,” with a vote of 220-208. Four Democrats—Ed Case (Hawaii), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jared Golden (Maine), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington)—joined Republicans in favor of the bill.
Despite this, the Senate has yet to address the legislation.
Current laws already prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting, and critics argue that instances of non-citizens casting votes are exceedingly rare. Yet, proponents of the bill insist it’s necessary to ensure that immigrants are not participating in elections.
Meanwhile, Democrats and opponents contend that the measure is not only unnecessary but could disenfranchise many Americans who might lack easy access to citizenship documentation needed to vote.
Earlier this year, President Trump enacted an executive order mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration. However, legal experts have raised doubts about its viability, suggesting that it may be overturned by a future Democratic administration.
