There is a new attempt to require burdensome documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. We need every member of LWV to help us stop it!
Right now, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is taking public comments from people like you to gather input on whether they should adopt this anti-voter initiative. They need to hear from you about how damaging this policy would be before they make their decision. And it only takes a couple of minutes to make your voice heard.
The EAC is considering a petition asking it to add documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to the federal voter registration form. Much like the SAVE Act, this proposal would force Americans to show specific, costly, hard-to-access documents like passports before registering to vote.
An estimated 21 million Americans could be shut out from the ballot box, particularly rural voters, students, women, communities of color, and members of the military.
Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections creates unnecessary barriers for eligible voters. It’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and asking citizens to provide additional documentation is an obstacle that could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups like:
- Military families, who are often relocated, and for whom proving their citizenship can be complicated and burdensome.
- People who have lost essential documents due to disasters or personal hardships, for whom this requirement only adds stress to an already difficult situation.
- Women who’ve changed their name due to marriage could face challenges proving their identity or citizenship in ways that aren’t fair or practical.
Right now, the EAC is taking public comments from people like you to gather input on whether they should adopt this anti-voter initiative. They need to hear from you about how damaging this policy would be before they make their decision. And it only takes a couple of minutes to make your voice heard.
What does the petition seek to do?
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.
How to submit a comment?
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 midnight Monday, October 20, 2025.
Here’s how to submit a comment:
- Go to the petition page on regulations.gov.
- 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. Many communities of eligible voters 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, such as married women.
What is the EAC?
The EAC is an independent agency of the United States government created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).
The Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration.
It is charged with:
- administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements,
- adopting voluntary voting system guidelines,
- and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment,
- developing and maintaining a national mail voter registration form
The EAC has received a petition from America First Legal Foundation. We have until midnight Monday, Oct 20, 2025, to submit our comments.
This isn’t just about systems — it’s about ensuring that all eligible Americans, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy. Voting is a fundamental right, and we should be working to make it as accessible as possible, not putting up more barriers.