Imagine standing in line to register to vote—excited, maybe a little nervous—only to be told you can’t. Not because you’re ineligible, but because you don’t have the right kind of paperwork in your hand. No passport, no birth certificate? No vote. 

That’s the reality millions of Americans could face if a new petition before the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is approved. 

A Dangerous Proposal Disguised as “Security” 

The petition, submitted by America First Legal Foundation, would amend the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof of citizenship—specifically through a valid passport or similarly difficult to obtain documents. 

On the surface, it might sound harmless. But in practice, it’s a bureaucratic trap that would strip millions of lawful U.S. citizens of their right to vote. 

Who Would Be Left Out? 

Let’s put this in perspective: 

• Roughly 146 million Americans don’t have a passport. 

• About 21 million voting-age citizens—9% of the electorate—don’t have easy access to a passport or birth certificate. 

That means one in ten Americans could be blocked from voting—not because they aren’t citizens, but because they can’t produce the right piece of paper. 

This proposal goes even further than the controversial SAVE Act, which at least allows a birth certificate as proof. America First Legal’s version would eliminate that option altogether, raising the bar even higher. 

The Real Impact: Who Gets Hurt 

Policies like this don’t affect everyone equally. They hit hardest those already facing systemic barriers: 

• Low-income voters often lack stable housing or resources to replace lost documents. Obtaining a passport or certified birth record can cost between $30 and $160, not including time off work or transportation. 

• Communities of color—particularly Black, Latino, and Indigenous citizens—are disproportionately affected due to historic inequities in access to government services and vital records. 

• Women, especially married women, face additional paperwork hurdles. Around 84% of women who marry change their names, meaning nearly 69 million women would need extra documents (marriage licenses, court orders) to register. 

• Students, seniors, and rural residents are also less likely to have passports or easy access to state offices. 

In Kansas, when a similar rule was enforced, over 30,000 residents were blocked from registering to vote, and 99% of them were U.S. citizens. This isn’t speculation—it’s precedent. 

What the Law Already Says 

Under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), voters must already affirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering. This system has worked for decades. 

The Election Assistance Commission has repeatedly rejected past attempts to add documentary proof requirements, recognizing that they contradict federal law and would disenfranchise eligible voters. Nothing has changed to justify reversing that position. 

The Myth of “Non-Citizen Voting” 

Supporters of the proposal claim it’s about protecting election integrity. But data tells a very different story: 

• A 2024 Georgia audit found just 20 non-citizens among 8.2 million registered voters. 

• In Louisiana, a 40-year review uncovered only 79 questionable ballots out of 74 million votes. 

That’s not a crisis. That’s proof the system works. 

Democracy for All, Not a Privilege for the Few 

Our democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen can participate freely and fairly. Requiring costly, hard-to-obtain documents would silence the voices of those who can least afford new obstacles—low-income families, students, rural Americans, and people of color.  This is another version of the old poll taxes that unconstitutionally disenfranchised people of color and people with low incomes – a cynical giant step backwards. 

Voting should never be a privilege reserved for those who can afford extra paperwork. 

The Coalition on Human Needs (CHN)—a national alliance of anti-poverty, labor, faith, civil rights, and community organizations—calls on the EAC to reject this proposal. 

Federal law already provides the safeguards needed to ensure only eligible citizens vote. What this proposal would do is far more dangerous: it would disenfranchise millions of lawful voters and deepen inequities that already plague our democracy. 

The Bottom Line 

Requiring proof of citizenship through passports or birth certificates is not about protecting elections—it’s about restricting access. 

The EAC must uphold the integrity of the National Voter Registration Act, protect the fundamental right to vote, and reject any proposal that undermines the democratic principle that every voice counts. 

Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard 

If you believe every eligible American should have the freedom to vote without unnecessary barriers, now is the time to act. 

Submit a public comment urging the EAC to reject this harmful proposal. Every comment counts, if it is not just a verbatim copy of another comment—it helps show the overwhelming public opposition to these restrictive efforts. 

Submit your comment on regulations.gov.  They are due Monday, October 20, by 11:59 pm.  Yes, we know that’s not a lot of notice, but a 2-3 sentence comment in your own words would be all that’s needed – so please consider joining in. 

To make it easier, we’ve gathered: 

• Helpful resources from partner organizations in this community 

• Short sample comments (2–3 sentences):  the EAC is only obliged to read individualized comments, so we encourage you to use these as guides and use your own wording —please be guided by included versions tailored for Southern states and communities most affected by these proposals 

Together, we can protect the right to vote and ensure that every American—no matter their income, background, or zip code—can make their voice heard in our democracy.