The Texas Senate has approved a bill requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship before registering. Those who do not provide proof would be restricted to voting in congressional races. The bill, a Republican priority, must pass the state House before becoming law.
Key Provisions of Senate Bill 16:
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Applies to both new applicants and already registered voters.
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Bars those without proof of citizenship from voting in presidential, state, and local elections.
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Requires local election officials to verify citizenship status, with potential felony charges for lapses.
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Costs nearly $2 million over five years to implement.
Republican lawmakers argue the bill addresses voter fraud concerns, while voting rights advocates warn it could create barriers for Texas’ 18 million registered voters.
Implementation & Costs
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The Texas Secretary of State’s Office must send counties a list of voters lacking citizenship proof.
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The state voter registration system will need updates, costing approximately $578,931 in 2026 and $84,000 per year thereafter.
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Two new state employees will be hired for verification, costing $70,662 per year each.
Concerns & Opposition
Critics argue the bill is unnecessary, citing investigations that found no widespread noncitizen voting. Election officials warn it may cause confusion, particularly for mail-in voters. Some Senate Democrats also caution that it could lead to legal challenges, as seen in Arizona.
Accepted Citizenship Documents
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U.S. passport or passport card
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Certified birth certificate
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U.S. citizenship papers
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Identification from the U.S. citizenship and immigration agency
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Consular report of birth abroad
Voters who have not provided proof by Election Day will have six days to submit documentation for their full ballot to count. Otherwise, only their federal votes will be counted.
Election officials and voter registration volunteers would be required to verify citizenship before registering voters, with potential criminal penalties for noncompliance.
The bill is set to take effect in September if passed by the Legislature.