In recent months, several states have introduced or passed legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and participation. Including the 47th president with his executive order. Proponents argue that such laws are necessary to maintain the integrity of American elections. However, decades of research and bipartisan studies have consistently shown that non-citizen voting is exceedingly rare and statistically insignificant.
Rather than solving a widespread issue, these laws risk disenfranchising millions of eligible voters — particularly Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant communities — who are less likely to possess, or have immediate access to, documents such as birth certificates, passports, or naturalization papers.
Older voters, low-income citizens, and students may also face significant barriers, as replacing lost documents can be both costly and time-consuming.
It is important to recognize the disproportionate impact these requirements can have on communities that already face structural inequalities within the voting system.
Ensuring election security is critical, but it must not come at the cost of excluding lawful voters from the democratic process. Robust voter registration systems, transparent election audits, and investment in voter education represent more effective and equitable approaches to protecting elections.
Ultimately, a healthy democracy depends on participation, not exclusion. As these policies continue to emerge, it is vital that voters, advocates, and policymakers carefully examine their real-world consequences — and remain committed to expanding, not restricting, the fundamental right to vote.