John Carley, South Dakota state senator for District 29, stated on April 17 that he supports the SAVE America Act because he believes only U.S. citizens should vote and that proof-of-citizenship requirements would strengthen election integrity.
The debate over voter identification and citizenship requirements has drawn national attention, with recent legislative action in South Dakota reflecting broader discussions over federal election policy. Carley pointed to state-level efforts as part of that trend.
“Elections are one of our most sacred duties in the United States and making sure only Citizens are voting in those elections is not only a common sense concept but supported by almost all Americans,” Said Carley.
“We hope our states recent passage two weeks ago of the Save South Dakota Act by Senator Carley (SB175) and supported by the Freedom Caucus will actually encourage the Save America Act to be passed at the federal level. So we are prepared in South Dakota and our legislature has expressed overwhelming confidence in this type of legislation,” he added.
South Dakota enacted its own election law on March 26, 2026, when Gov. Larry Rhoden signed Senate Bill 175. The law requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, placing the state among those adopting documentary citizenship requirements as part of broader election policy changes, according to South Dakota State News.
On the federal level, a March 26, 2026, Senate cloture vote tied to voter ID provisions associated with the SAVE America Act failed 53–47, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The roll call showed South Dakota Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds voting in favor of advancing the measure, according to senate.gov.
Public opinion polling has shown broad support for voter identification requirements.Â
A Pew Research Center survey found that 83% of U.S. adults supported requiring government-issued photo identification to vote as of August 2025, including 60% who strongly supported the requirement. Support included majorities across party lines, with 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats in favor, while 16% opposed overall.
Carley also serves as secretary and treasurer of the South Dakota Freedom Caucus and sponsored SB175, placing him at the center of the state’s proof-of-citizenship legislation.
