Palmer, Britt Introduce Citizen Ballot Protection Act

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) introduced the Citizen Ballot Protection Act. The Citizen Ballot Protection Act protects the integrity of American elections by amending the National Voter Registration Act to make clear that a state may impose a proof of citizenship requirement to register to vote in a federal election.

Following the introduction of this bill, Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

“In 2013, the Supreme Court issued a ruling preventing states from requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The Citizen Ballot Protection Act would fix this issue by amending the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to give states the ability to verify the citizenship status of their voters when they register,” said Rep. Palmer. “Americans deserve to know their elections are secure. The Citizen Ballot Protection Act is a great step towards restoring faith in the ability to conduct free and fair elections and preventing illegally cast ballots from swaying the outcome.”

The Citizen Ballot Protection Act is cosponsored by Reps. Andrew S. Clyde (GA-09) and Barry Moore (AL-01).

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Voting in our country is a sacred right that must solely be limited to American citizens. To allow States to uphold this principle should be simple commonsense,” said Senator Britt. “It should not be controversial that States have the legal right to prevent noncitizens – including illegal aliens and official representatives of foreign adversaries – from voting in State and Federal elections. Cities that allow noncitizens to vote in local elections disenfranchise hardworking American citizens, insult those American citizens who came to our country legally and took the time and effort to go through the citizenship process, and undermine faith in our entire electoral system – which is a cornerstone of our nation that we cannot allow to crumble. I’m proud to work with Representative Palmer and my Senate colleagues to ensure that we pass this legislation and stand up for the right of Americans – and only Americans – to vote in American elections.”

Read the bill text here.

Rep. Palmer also introduced the Citizen Ballot Protection Act in the 117th and 118th Congresses.