U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, joined by Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ), is leading a bicameral effort urging the federal government to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration.
The initiative supports a petition submitted by the America First Legal Foundation to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), aiming to update federal regulations.
As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, Cruz emphasized the importance of this reform.
"Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform," he wrote in a letter.
Cruz compared it to routine activities that require identification, such as boarding a plane or opening a bank account.
The letter argues that this requirement would not burden eligible voters but would help preserve election integrity by preventing unlawful registrations.
"This step would... ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls," the letter reads. "For these reasons, we respectfully urge the commission to grant this petition and update the federal regulations accordingly."
Several Republican lawmakers joined the effort, including fellow Texas Senator John Cornyn (R), as well as Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Banks (IN), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
The petition reflects ongoing Republican concerns about voter fraud and election security. Critics of the measure have argued that requiring proof of citizenship may disproportionately affect eligible voters, especially those without easy access to documentation.
