Do We Need a Requirement to Show Proof of Citizenship to Vote?

The liberty principle for this freedom Friday concerns a requirement to show proof of citizenship for voting forms. The current battle began with a petition filed by America First Legal, a watchdog group, “to add the requirement on the federal voter registration form. As most people could correctly assume, Democrat attorneys general oppose such a rule and Republican attorneys general support it.

Most patriotic Americans would agree with the majority of 353,000 public comments that were officially registered with the government on the issue that favored the requirement. Fred Lucas at The Daily Signal explained the situation as follows. 

“It’s imperative that only eligible U.S. citizens are registering and voting in our elections,” [Ken] Paxton [Texas attorney general] said in a public statement Monday.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our republic, and every illegal vote dilutes the voice of law-abiding American citizens,” he continued. “We must require proof of citizenship to protect the voice of the true American people, which is why I’m leading this national coalition in supporting AFL’s rulemaking petition.”

My book “The Myth of Voter Suppression” documents how noncitizens and even illegal immigrants have voted in past elections, in some cases leading to criminal charges. Joining Paxton are Republican Attorney’s General Steve Marshall of Alabama, Brenna Bird of Iowa, Tim Griffin of Arkansas, Kris Kobach of Kansas, Chris Carr of Georgia, Liz Murrill of Louisiana, Raul Labrador of Idaho, Mike Hilgers of Nebraska, Todd Rokita of Indiana, Dave Yost of Ohio, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, John McCuskey of West Virginia, and Marty Jackley of South Dakota.

Their joint comment in support of the citizenship requirement focuses on President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14248, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”

“First, the current federal voter registration system fails to achieve the government’s statutory obligations and leaves our voter rolls vulnerable,” the comment says.

“Second, the current framework impedes state election officials from properly ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens are permitted to register and vote in federal elections,” it continues.

“And third, President Trump’s EO 14248 is consistent with federal law. 

Accordingly, the proposed rule seeks to enhance the integrity of the voter registration process and ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens are permitted to register and vote in our federal elections.” [Paragraphing changed.]