SR838: SR838 "State Assurance of Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Amendment" -CA

Georgia's current constitution says every citizen who is a resident, at least 18, and not disenfranchised is entitled to vote. This resolution would rewrite that provision to say only individuals who are citizens of the United States and residents of Georgia may vote, and it would add a new requirement that registered voters present photographic identification, in a form set by the General Assembly, before casting a ballot in any election. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it cannot take effect on its own. It must be submitted to Georgia voters for ratification or rejection, with a specific ballot question asking whether the constitution should be amended to limit voting to U.S. citizens and require photo ID. If voters approve it, the change becomes part of the state constitution.

• Rewrites Article II, Section I, Paragraph II of the Georgia Constitution to say only citizens of the United States who are Georgia residents may vote in state elections.
• Adds a new requirement that registered electors present photographic identification before casting a ballot in any election.
• Directs the General Assembly to determine by law what forms of photo ID will satisfy this requirement.
• Gives the resolution the short title 'State Assurance of Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Amendment.'
• Puts the proposed constitutional amendment before Georgia voters as a ballot question for ratification or rejection.

Registered voters and prospective voters across Georgia, county election officials who administer polling places, and the General Assembly, which would be tasked with defining acceptable forms of photo identification if the amendment is ratified.

If ratified by voters, this would embed a citizenship requirement and a statewide photo ID mandate directly into Georgia's constitution, meaning any future change to voter eligibility or ID requirements would require another constitutional amendment rather than a simple statute.

• Section 1 gives the resolution its short title, the 'State Assurance of Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Amendment.'
• Section 2 revises Article II, Section I, Paragraph II of the Georgia Constitution to limit voting rights to U.S. citizens who are Georgia residents.
• The same section adds a requirement that electors present photographic identification, with the General Assembly setting by law which forms of ID qualify, before casting a ballot.
• A second Section 2 (labeled the same due to a drafting numbering repeat) sets the exact ballot question voters will see and specifies the amendment takes effect if ratified under Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution.

1. 2026-03-06Senate Lost (Senate)
2. 2026-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-06Senate Engrossed (Senate)
4. 2026-03-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
5. 2026-03-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
6. 2026-02-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
7. 2026-02-24Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)Primary sponsor
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   32 yea, 22 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Motion To Engross: Sb 423, Sb 515, Sb 566, Sb 568, Sb 573, Sr 838: Senate Vote #640

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   32 yea, 23 nay

   Adoption Of Constitutional Amendment: Senate Vote #653

• voting rights
• constitutional amendment
• voter ID
• election rules
• citizenship requirements