AUSTIN, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a formal comment to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on behalf of a 14-state coalition in support of a rulemaking petition from the America First Legal Foundation (AFL) that seeks to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
The AFL petition urges the EAC to amend federal regulations to ensure that only U.S. citizens are eligible to register using the federal voter registration form. Currently, the form allows registrants to self-attest to citizenship without providing documentary proof.
Attorney General Paxton stated that requiring proof of citizenship would protect the integrity of elections and uphold the voices of law-abiding Americans. He emphasized that every illegal registration or vote undermines public trust in the democratic process.
The multistate comment argues that the current system under the National Voter Registration Act does not provide adequate safeguards to verify citizenship and maintain accurate voter rolls. It also references Executive Order 14248, issued by former President Donald Trump earlier this year, which directs federal agencies to ensure the integrity of American elections.
Paxton contends that updating the federal registration form to include proof of citizenship would reduce administrative burdens on states and help restore public confidence in elections.
