- House Republicans passed a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Registering would require a passport, birth certificate or identification that is REAL ID compliant.
- Democrats contend non-citizen voting is already illegal and that there are sufficient penalties for those who break the law.
- The bill would codify sections of an executive order President Trump signed that requires proof of citizenship. It also sets an Election Day deadline for mail-in ballots.
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House Republicans passed a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The legislation has broad support among Congressional Republicans and President Trump. However, it does not have enough support to get the 60 votes needed for approval in the Senate.
The bill prohibits states from accepting or processing a voter application without proof of citizenship, which includes: a birth certificate, passport or identification that’s REAL ID compliant as long as it indicates the individual is a citizen.
“We must ensure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat,” Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., said.
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Republicans cite surveys that show a majority of Americans support requiring people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. A 2024 Gallup poll found 83% are in favor while 15% oppose it.
“Non-citizen voting reduces confidence in our elections. American elections are for American citizens and we intend to keep it that way,” Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., said.
Democrats raise concerns over bill
Democrats say the bill would make registering to vote a burden. They contend most people’s driver’s licenses do not comply and that it would end registration by mail.
“American citizens would have to appear in person, at an election office, bring with them various documents and forms to register to vote,” Rep. Joseph Morelle, D-N.Y., said.
“Think about it – just to exercise your fundamental, inalienable rights as a citizen of this country, Republicans would force Americans into a paperwork nightmare burying voter registration under a mountain of bureaucracy and red tape,” Morelle continued.
The bill creates new requirements for purging voter rolls. It also gives states free access to federal registers that contain citizenship data.
Republicans cite cases of non-citizens either registering to vote or casting a ballot. There were 13 individuals referred for prosecution in Michigan for non-citizen voting in the 2024 election, and over the years, thousands of non-citizens have been removed from voter rolls in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Democrats contend this is not a problem to address.
“Federal law already requires people to attest under penalty of perjury that they are US citizens when they register to vote,” Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said. “Non-citizens attempting to register to vote is exceedingly rare and if they do they face severe consequences including fines, up to five years in prison, and deportation.”
President Trump signed an executive order requiring proof of citizenship at registration and setting Election Day deadlines for mail-in ballots, among other measures. Republicans say they want to codify that executive order, at least in part, with this bill.
