Paxton Leads Coalition Backing Rule To Require Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration

Ken Paxton - Caricature by DonkeyHotey is licensed under by-sa

Attorney General Ken Paxton has joined with 13 other states in support of a rulemaking petition that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

Paxton filed a multistate comment with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) backing a petition by America First Legal Foundation (AFL) to amend federal voter registration regulations. The proposed change would tighten election integrity rules under the National Voter Registration Act by mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship on federal voter registration forms.

“It’s imperative that only eligible U.S. citizens are registering and voting in our elections,” Paxton said. “Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our Republic, and every illegal vote dilutes the voice of law-abiding American citizens. 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.”

The filing argues that the current voter registration process—based on self-attestation of citizenship—fails to adequately safeguard voter rolls from ineligible registrations. 

Paxton and the coalition of attorneys general urged the EAC to revise its regulations to allow states to verify citizenship status more effectively and maintain accurate voter lists.

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