Landgraf files 'Verified Citizen Voting Act' to prevent non-citizen voting in Texas

Nov. 12—AUSTIN — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) has filed House Bill 219, known as the "Verified Citizen Voting Act," to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in Texas. U.S. citizenship has long been a requirement to vote in Texas, but voters have been on the honor system. Landgraf's bill would simply make documented proof of citizenship part of the state's voter-registration process on a go-forward basis.

"Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it must be protected," Landgraf said in a news release. "The Verified Citizen Voting Act will give Texans peace of mind that their votes are not being diluted by ineligible voters, protecting our elections from potential abuse and preserving the integrity of every ballot cast."

Under HB 219, individuals registering to vote would be required to present simple proof of citizenship as part of the application process. Landgraf's bill makes it easy for voters to prove citizenship by presenting a Texas REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a U.S. passport, a naturalization document or a birth certificate.

"Election integrity depends on the trust we place in our voting system, and ensuring only eligible voters can register is essential to that trust," Landgraf said. "If U.S. citizenship is a requirement to vote, it makes perfect sense to require proof that they comply with the requirement."

Landgraf and the other members of the Texas legislature will convene for the 89th Texas Legislative Session on January 14, 2025. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate may file bills for the 2025 legislative session as early as November 12, 2024. The Texas legislature meets at the Texas Capitol building for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on proposed legislation and pass a balanced state budget.