U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) are pushing forward an effort to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in future federal elections.
The initiative, backed by a letter from Cruz and Crane supporting a petition from the America First Legal Foundation, has recently gathered the support from several more Republican lawmakers, including Senators Ted Budd (North Carolina), Jim Banks (Indiana), Roger Marshall (Kansas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Mississippi), John Cornyn (Texas), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), and Bernie Moreno (Ohio).
The push for more voter reform comes at a time when concerns about election security are at the forefront of many Republicans’ minds.
In the letter, Cruz and Crane argue that requiring documented proof of citizenship is a straightforward and necessary step to make sure that only eligible voters participate in federal elections.
“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,” the letter reads. “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 letter further claims that such a policy would strengthen the overall integrity of our elections, and also “safeguard the voices of American citizens,” while ensuring “that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots.”
The bicameral letter also claims that the current federal mandates simply fall short of protecting elections from voter fraud across the country.
“The current federal form falls short…. 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,” Cruz and Crane added.