The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) published a Federal Register notice requesting comments on a petition seeking to add documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to the federal voter registration form. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections creates unnecessary barriers for many eligible voters. While it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote, asking citizens to provide additional documentation is an obstacle that could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.
The petition seeks to initiate a rulemaking process to amend the federal voter registration form to require applicants to provide one of the following as proof of citizenship:
- US Passport.
- State-issued Real ID-compliant driver's license indicating that the applicant is a citizen.
- An official military identification card that indicates the applicant is a US citizen.
- Valid Federal or State government-issued photo identification if such identification indicates that the applicant is a US citizen or if such identification is otherwise accompanied by proof of US citizenship.
This proposal is in the petition phase, which means that the EAC has not proposed a rule yet. That means this is a very important engagement opportunity, and all voices are critical to advocate against the addition of documentary proof of citizenship requirements to the federal voter registration form.
Comments must be submitted by October 20 at midnight. Here’s how to submit a comment:
- Go to the petition page on regulations.gov by clicking here.
- Copy and paste the sample text below or create your own comment to include in the comment box.
- Submit the comment as an individual. You may also submit anonymously.
Sample text:
Feel free to write a personal note or use some or all of our sample text:
I’m against requiring citizens to submit a passport, birth certificate, or other citizenship documents to register to vote! Only half of American citizens have a passport, and 69 million American citizens don’t have a birth certificate with their current legal name on it.
It is already illegal for noncitizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. Requiring a document to prove American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections is unnecessary. State election officials have systems to verify an individual voter’s eligibility and ensure voter rolls are accurate. There are many communities of eligible voters who would be unnecessarily burdened by the requirement of documentary proof of citizenship. Among them are military voters, families who have been impacted by natural disasters may have lost necessary documentation, and Americans who have changed their name, like married women.