In a swift decision following minimal debate, the Texas Senate has advanced legislation mandating that voters must prove their citizenship before they can register, with limitations on their voting rights in place if they fail to do so. This legislative move forms part of a broader Republican initiative and now awaits consideration in the state House.

Details of Senate Bill 16

Senate Bill 16, introduced by state senator Bryan Hughes, aligns with similar laws from Arizona, but deviates significantly by targeting current voters in Texas rather than solely new registrants. The bill stipulates that those unable to provide proof of citizenship would be restricted from participating in presidential, state, and local elections, a provision initially blocked by federal courts in Arizona.

According to the fiscal note associated with the bill, the implementation would incur substantial costs, projecting an expenditure of almost $2 million over the coming five years, exclusive of expenses for local election authorities.

The Legislative Context

The introduction of this legislation is part of a national GOP effort focused on concerns about noncitizen voting, despite a lack of substantial evidence to support claims of widespread occurrences. “Most Texans have already proven their citizenship when they got their driver’s license,” Hughes stated during the debate, asserting that the process would be streamlined for voters.

However, advocates for voting rights express trepidation, arguing that the bill could establish unnecessary barriers for over 18 million registered voters, particularly affecting those without access to the required documentation.

Potential Impacts and Concerns

Elisabeth MacNamara, advocacy chair for the League of Women Voters of Texas, remarked on the bill’s implications, stating, “This is going to upend the way we do elections here in Texas.” Critics warn about the compounded burdens on both voters and election administrators, especially given existing resource limitations.

Concerns have been raised about the timeline and education required to inform voters of the new requirements, particularly with the primary elections scheduled for March 2026. Jennifer Doinoff, president of the Texas Association of County Election Officials, warned that confusion might arise due to insufficient time to prepare the electorate.

Implementation Requirements

Should the bill be enacted, substantial changes would be required within the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to update the voter registration system to accommodate the new citizenship verification mandates. This includes sending lists of current registered voters who have not confirmed their citizenship status, as well as educating local election officials on the new procedures.

The financial implications are significant, with projected costs exceeding $578,000 in the first year along with ongoing administrative expenditures. Additionally, staffing will need to increase to handle the newly imposed obligations of citizenship verification.

Opposition Highlights

Public hearings have revealed substantial opposition to the bill, with over 200 individuals voicing their concerns against it while only a small group of supporters presented their arguments in favor. Senate Democrats contended that the bill could prompt legal challenges much like those faced in Arizona over similar legislation.

State senator Carol Alvarado pointed to investigations suggesting that claims of rampant noncitizen voting in Texas were exaggerated, questioning the law’s necessity and practical implications for local election officials and voters alike.

Documentation Required

To establish proof of citizenship under the proposed law, voters must present one of the following documents:

• A copy of a U.S. passport;
• A passport card;
• A certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory;
• Documents such as “United States citizenship papers”;
• Identification issued by the U.S. agency responsible for citizenship and immigration;
• For citizens born abroad, a consular report of birth abroad.

Notably, tribal documentation is not included in this list, diverging from Arizona’s regulations. Voters presenting no proof at polling locations would be allowed six days to submit the necessary documents to ensure their full ballots count.