(Texas Scorecard) – State lawmakers are considering measures to ensure that only United States citizens vote in Texas elections.
During a House Elections Committee meeting on Thursday, State Rep. Candy Noble (R–Lucas) explained House Joint Resolution 161, which proposes a constitutional amendment to add non-U.S. citizens to the list of people not allowed to vote in Texas.
“Our laws, elections, and bond proposals should be decided by citizens,” said Noble.
She noted that 15 states have passed constitutional amendments banning noncitizen voting, with eight adopted just this past year.
The influx of millions of illegal border crossers has heightened concerns about ineligible noncitizens participating in elections.
Opponents of the measure told the committee that voting by noncitizens is not a widespread problem in Texas and that current state law already limits voting to U.S. citizens.
Noble explained that government officials in several states have allowed non-U.S. citizens to participate in local elections. She said that adding a prohibition to the constitution would prevent Texas localities from following suit.
Noble’s proposal mirrors Senate Joint Resolution 37 by State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury). The Senate passed SJR 37 earlier this month and it’s since been referred to the House Elections Committee for consideration.
Another measure aimed at ensuring only U.S. citizens participate in Texas elections was presented during Thursday’s meeting by State Rep. Carrie Isaac (R–Wimberley).
House Bill 5337 would require voter applicants to provide proof of citizenship before they are allowed to vote in state or local elections in Texas.
If passed, the state would maintain “bifurcated” voter rolls, with voters who fail to document that they are citizens limited to voting in federal elections, as current federal law does not allow requiring proof of citizenship.
Opponents testified that the requirement would put an undue and unnecessary burden on voters. Many claimed that a significant number of eligible voters would be unable to prove their citizenship.
First-generation legal immigrant Brian Taif spoke in support of the measure.
“My first election that I voted in was one of my proudest moments, next to serving, taking my oath to serve in the U.S. military,” testified Taif. “And that proudness didn’t go away by that first election. That’s how I feel in every election, and that’s why I’m here today to encourage you guys to support this bill.”
Isaac’s bill is a companion to Senate Bill 16 by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola).
SB 16, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, passed the Senate earlier this month and has also been referred to the House Elections Committee.
The measures by Hughes and Isaac align with the federal Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act authored by Texas Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy.
The SAVE Act, numbered H.R. 22, would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
The U.S. House passed the SAVE Act on April 10, and it now awaits action from the U.S. Senate.
An election integrity executive order issued last month by President Donald Trump also called for requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote, but a federal judge blocked that portion of the order this week.