GOP Lawmakers Push for Proof of Citizenship in Voter Registration

Republican lawmakers, led by Senator Ted Cruz from Texas and Representative Eli Crane from Arizona, are advocating for a petition that seeks to require proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals registering to vote in federal elections. This initiative, which has garnered support from several prominent Republican officials, is spearheaded by the America First Legal Foundation.

The petition aims to prompt the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to revise its regulations and the National Mail Voter Registration Form to mandate documentary proof of citizenship. According to a bicameral letter supporting the petition, the current federal voter registration form “falls short” of ensuring that only eligible citizens can register to vote.

This development follows an announcement by Texas State Secretary Jane Nelson, who revealed that the state had identified over 2,700 registered voters who are not American citizens. In her statement, Nelson emphasized the need to protect the sanctity of the voting process, urging counties to conduct thorough investigations into voter eligibility. Texas law prohibits non-citizens from participating in federal, state, and most local elections.

“We encourage counties to conduct rigorous investigations to determine if any voter is ineligible — just as they do with any other data set we provide,” Nelson, a Republican, stated in a recent news release. Texas is utilizing a federal government database to verify voter eligibility, having established a partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to access the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements data.

The petition from the America First Legal Foundation, filed earlier this year, underscores the lawmakers’ concerns that the current registration process allows for “self-attestation of citizenship.” This means that individuals can simply check a box indicating their citizenship without any verification, which the petitioners argue poses a risk to the integrity of the electoral process.

Several other Republican lawmakers have joined Cruz and Crane in supporting the petition. Among them are Representatives Byron Donalds and Greg Steube from Florida, as well as Senators Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, John Cornyn from Texas, and Ron Johnson from Wisconsin.

The lawmakers assert that requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a straightforward and reasonable reform. They draw parallels to other instances where identification is necessary in daily life, such as boarding an airplane or opening a bank account. “It is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections,” the letter states.

As discussions surrounding electoral integrity continue, this petition reflects a broader push within certain political circles to tighten voter registration processes. The outcome of this initiative could have significant implications for future elections, adding another layer of verification for voters at the federal level.