Citizen Ballot Protection Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
- Committees
- Rules and Administration Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Nov 18, 2025
Bottom line
This bill grants states the option to mandate proof of U.S. citizenship for mail-in voter registration, potentially impacting voter access and election integrity measures.
What it actually does
This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to grant states the option to require individuals registering to vote by mail to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Currently, the NVRA's federal mail voter registration form only requires applicants to attest under penalty of perjury that they are citizens. This bill would allow states to add a requirement for documentary proof of citizenship.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill enhances election integrity by preventing non-citizens from registering to vote, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot box. They contend that requiring proof of citizenship is a common-sense measure to ensure only eligible voters participate in federal elections, addressing concerns about potential fraud and maintaining public trust in election outcomes.
Opponents contend
Opponents contend that this bill could create unnecessary barriers to voter registration, particularly for eligible citizens who may lack readily available documentation or face challenges in providing it. They argue that existing penalties for false claims of citizenship are sufficient and that adding a proof requirement could disenfranchise legitimate voters, disproportionately affecting certain demographic groups and potentially suppressing turnout.
The bill text is extremely short and straightforward, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 2(a)(1) and (2)
State Option to Require Proof of Citizenship for Mail Voter Registration
This provision amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to allow states to require individuals registering to vote by mail to provide proof that they are U.S. citizens. Currently, the NVRA's federal mail voter registration form only requires applicants to attest under penalty of perjury that they are citizens. This bill would enable states to go beyond this attestation and demand documentary evidence of citizenship as part of the registration process.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision is a vital step to secure elections by ensuring that only eligible citizens are registered to vote, thereby preventing potential voter fraud by non-citizens. They believe it strengthens the integrity of the voter rolls and public confidence in election results.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that this provision creates an unnecessary hurdle for eligible citizens to register, potentially leading to voter suppression. They argue that existing laws already make it a crime for non-citizens to vote and that requiring documentary proof could disproportionately affect minority groups, the elderly, or those without easy access to birth certificates or naturalization papers.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the goal of enhancing election security by verifying citizenship against concerns about creating barriers to voter access and potentially disenfranchising eligible citizens who may struggle to provide documentation.