Palmer Introduces Citizen Ballot Protection Act That Would Allow States to Require Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Kris Cook (202) 225-4921

Washington, D.C. – Following introduction of his bill, H.R. 8223, the Citizen Ballot Protection Act, to allow states to require proof of citizenship for voters by amending the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) issued the following statement:

“Restoring faith in the ability to conduct free and fair elections in this country begins with cleaning up voter rolls and requiring proof of citizenship to prevent illegally cast ballots from swaying elections.” said Rep. Gary Palmer. “Americans deserve to know their elections are secure. It is common sense that states should be able to require proof of citizenship to ensure only citizens are voting in their elections. Unfortunately, a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prevents states from requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. This bill will fix the problem 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.”

Background:

There is a growing push to let noncitizens vote, especially in some liberal states where noncitizens are allowed to register. New York City recently approved legislation that will allow as many as 800,000 non-citizens to vote in local elections.

To strengthen voter roll integrity, many states are adding proof of citizenship requirements before someone can register to vote. However, this protection does not extend to voters that register through the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) federal mail voter registration application form. This federal form is used to register to vote in federal elections and the information collected by the form is listed in the NVRA.

Because proof of citizenship is not listed as an option to add to the form, in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, the Supreme Court held a state requirement to show proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections violates the NVRA.

Without the proof of citizenship requirement, individuals must only attest under penalty of perjury that he or she is a citizen.

The Citizen Ballot Protection Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to make clear that a state may impose a proof of citizenship requirement in order to register to vote in a federal election.

The bill respects and upholds the role of states in administering federal elections, gives states the option to add more security to their voter registration process, and helps states that have proof of citizenship requirements to streamline their registration process so both their version of the federal mail voter registration form and the state’s regular voter registration form can have the same review process.