Proof of Citizenship

Protecting Eligible Voters

Coinciding with the nation’s tense immigration debate of recent years is a strong belief among certain partisans that undocumented people are somehow undermining the democratic process.

POC

Instances of non-citizens attempting to cast a ballot are extremely rare, but this drummed up fear has real consequences: it excludes legitimate voters who do not have documentary proof of citizenship, such as seniors, students living away from home, or married people who adopt the surname of their spouses.

Further, proof-of-citizenship policies essentially quash community-based voter registration drives, which are responsible for reaching large numbers of potential voters at markets, churches, and other public places where one is unlikely to carry birth certicates and passports.

Ensuring that eligible Americans are not prevented from registering and voting due to unnecessary and discriminatory bureaucratic hurdles like proof-of-citizenship requirements is one of Project Vote’s key missions.

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NC officials say 1,425 voters are in question

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A coalition of voting rights groups expressed “deep concern about the way in which the State Board of Elections is identifying and potentially removing voters who it alleges are noncitizens.” Read more

Letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections on List Maintenance and Alleged Non-citizens

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On October 24, 2014, a coalition of voting rights groups wrote to North Carolina State Board of Elections members regarding list maintenance and alleged non-citizens. Read more

What Kind of Year Has It Been for Election Laws?

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WASHINGTON, DC — With Americans heading to the polls in just four weeks, a new report from voting rights group... Read more

What Kind of Year Has It Been for Election Laws?

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With Americans heading to the polls in just four weeks, a new report from voting rights group Project Vote shows that many beneficial election reforms were proposed in 2014, but few voters will find it easier to cast a ballot on November 4. Read more

In Election Legislation, Many Proposals but Few Solutions

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Today, Project Vote released a new report analyzing the legislative landscape in 2014, and assessing the ground gained and lost so far in the war over voting rights.  Read more

US Court of Appeals Issues Stay in Proof-of-Citizenship Case

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Good news today in the fight over proof-of-citizenship requirements. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has issued... Read more

U.S. Court of Appeals Orders Stay in Proof of Citizenship Case

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Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a stay in Kris W. Kobach et al v. United States, meaning that, while the Court considers the appeal, residents of Kansas and Arizona applying to register to vote using the federal registration form will not be required to provide proof of citizenship.  Read more

Court issues temporary stay over voter citizenship

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Kansas and Arizona residents can continue to register to vote for now using a federal form without having to provide proof of citizenship… Read more

In Florida, Bid to Cut Voter Rolls Is Set Back

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Gov. Rick Scott’s effort to remove voters who are not American citizens from voter registration rolls has suffered a one-two punch in the past week. Read more