The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 20, 2025
Voting Rights Lab reports there were 59 state bills introduced on proof of citizenship for voter registration this year, and 160 bills concerning voter ID. A handful have made it near the finish line, including in New Hampshire, Texas and Nevada, but not all have passed.
Since President Donald Trump’s baseless accusations of mail-in voting fraud in 2020, and his unfounded claims of widespread noncitizen voting in the 2024 election, Republican-dominated legislatures have raced to pass stricter voter ID and proof of citizenship laws, despite no widespread abuse of either.
In New Hampshire, versions of SB 218 were advanced, requiring submission of ID and proof of citizenship for absentee registration, and are now in a committee of conference. It’s likely to pass. In Texas, a high-priority documentary proof of citizenship bill died without action at the end of session. In Texas alone, there were 15 bills introduced to provide documentary proof of citizenship, and 10 tightening voter ID laws. A 2024 Brennan Center for Justice study found 1 in 9 Americans don’t have ready access to documents proving citizenship, and only half of Americans have a U.S. Passport.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo surprisingly vetoed a bipartisan voter ID bill attempting to codify a widely-supported ballot initiative. Democrats negotiated expanded ballot drop boxes in exchange for supporting voter ID. His veto statement said the bill did not address implementing voter ID for mail-in ballots.
Wyoming and Indiana passed proof of citizenship for registration earlier this year.
We have a link to the Voting Rights Lab tracker at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Millions of Americans Don’t Have Documents Proving Their Citizenship Readily AvailableVoting Rights Lab – Bill Search: Issues/Proof of Citizenship; Issues/ID
New Hampshire Bulletin – House, Senate negotiators agree on absentee voting bill despite pushback from disability community
Houston Public Media – Texas bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration dies at end of session
Associated Press – Nevada GOP governor vetoes voter ID bill that he pushed for in a deal with Democrats
Wyoming Public Radio – Gordon lets proof of voter residency bill become law without his signature
Citizen Portal – Indiana House Bill 1680 faces opposition for citizenship proof and voting assistance restrictions
Groups Taking Action:
American Friends Service Committee NH, Vote Riders TX, Let Nevadans Vote
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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