Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a coalition of 14 state attorneys general in supporting a petition that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
The coalition filed a comment Monday backing America First Legal Foundation’s (AFL) request to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The comment was signed by the Attorneys General of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
The move represents the latest state-level effort to tighten voting requirements, coming as debates over election integrity continue to divide the nation. AFL’s petition seeks to amend federal regulations requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship on voter registration forms.
“It’s imperative that only eligible U.S. citizens are registering and voting in our elections,” Paxton said in a statement. “Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our Republic, and every illegal vote dilutes the voice of law-abiding American citizens.”
The current system relies on self-attestation of citizenship, which Paxton argues fails to prevent illegal registrations.
His comment urges the EAC to update regulations under the National Voter Registration Act. The changes would allow states to verify citizenship and require proof when registering to vote.
Paxton cited President Trump’s Executive Order 14248, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” issued earlier this year. The order directs federal agencies to preserve election integrity.
“We must require proof of citizenship to protect the voice of the true American people, which is why I’m leading this national coalition in supporting AFL’s rulemaking petition,” Paxton said in a news release.
The attorney general argues the requirement would reduce administrative burdens on states while strengthening voter confidence. The coalition’s full comment details how documentary proof requirements would help states maintain accurate voter lists.