A bill introduced by Sen. Bryan Hughes in Texas would require voters to prove their U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote. The proposal, Senate Bill 16, would mandate individuals to provide documentation such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate to be added to the voter rolls. The bill builds on the state’s existing voter ID laws and aims to shift the responsibility of proving citizenship onto the prospective voter.
While opponents argue that the bill could create unnecessary barriers to voting for a rare issue, supporters like election judge David Carter point out that many Texans have already provided proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver’s license or state ID. The bill comes in response to concerns raised by Gov. Greg Abbott’s office about potential non-citizens on the voter rolls, although investigations have revealed inaccuracies in the data provided.
If passed, the bill would create a split ballot system, similar to Arizona’s proof of citizenship law, where voters who haven’t proven their citizenship could only participate in federal races. County election offices would be tasked with verifying voters’ citizenship status and notifying those who fail to provide proof within six days of an election.
Although the bill could impact voters of all backgrounds, it may disproportionately affect older Republicans who registered before stringent voter ID laws were in place. Despite these potential consequences, Republicans have shown strong support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the election process.
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