Peach Tree Times

Georgia's Attorney General Chris Carr, along with 21 other attorneys general, has urged Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Carr emphasized that noncitizen voting is illegal in Georgia and described the legislation as "a commonsense approach" for nationwide adoption. He made this statement in an April 10 post on X.

"Last year, we stood with 21 AGs in urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act," said General Chris Carr. "In Georgia, it's illegal for noncitizens to vote. It's a commonsense approach that should be implemented nationwide. Let's get it done."

According to the Associated Press, the House of Representatives passed a Republican-backed bill on Thursday requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. This move advances a priority of former President Donald Trump. The SAVE Act passed primarily along party lines, with Republicans asserting it aims to prevent noncitizen voting. Opponents have highlighted past legal rulings and logistical challenges.

Attorney General Chris Carr x post | X

The SAVE Act mandates individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal election registration and prohibits states from processing voter applications without such documentation. States are required to ensure only U.S. citizens are registered and must remove noncitizens from voter lists. The bill also permits private legal action against election officials who do not enforce these requirements and establishes criminal penalties. Congress.gov notes that the Election Assistance Commission must issue implementation guidance within ten days.

In Georgia, voter citizenship verification is conducted through Real ID documentation already on file with the state. If these documents are insufficient, additional verification is done using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database. According to the Georgia Secretary of State, voters unable to prove their citizenship through these methods must provide proof to election officials.

Carr was appointed as Georgia's attorney general by then-Governor Nathan Deal in 2016 and re-elected in November 2022. Since taking office, he has focused on issues such as human trafficking, gang activity, and opioid misuse, including establishing the state's first Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Gang Prosecution Unit. Carr previously served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development under Governor Deal from November 2013 to November 2016.