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Miss. Senator Signs Bicameral Letter Endorsing Petition Before the Election Assistance Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and others in issuing a bicameral comment letter in support of an America First Legal Foundation petition to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections.
Nine Senators and a dozen Members of Congress signed the letter asking the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to grant the foundation’s petition to amend EAC Regulations and the National Mail Voter Registration Form to require documentary proof of United States citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
The letter, which was led by Cruz and U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), notes the EAC mandate to protect electoral process integrity and to ensure current and accurate voter registration rolls.
“Unfortunately, the current federal form falls short of that mandate. It relies solely on self-attestation of citizenship, allowing an applicant merely to check a box under penalty of perjury. This ‘honor system’ offers no meaningful safeguard against ineligible individuals registering to vote,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform. Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activities—boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or even attending certain events—it is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections. This step would not burden eligible voters but would provide an essential check to ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls,” the lawmakers continued.
“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship will strengthen the integrity of our elections, safeguard the voices of American citizens, and ensure that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots,” they concluded.
In addition to Hyde-Smith and Cruz, the comment letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
The America First Legal Foundation petition seeks to require people to verify their citizenship through a U.S. passport, a Real ID, military ID, or another type of photo identification from the government that affirms the person registering is a citizen of the United States.
Read the lawmakers’ letter to the EAC here.
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