Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson issued revised election guidance late Friday in response to widespread concerns over the use of non-citizen driver’s licenses as voter identification. The revision came after an earlier memo created fears that non-citizens might be able to vote in upcoming elections.
The controversy started when Nelson’s office sent out guidance allowing limited-term driver’s licenses, which are typically issued to non-citizens, to be used for voter identification if the individual was already registered to vote. This prompted concerns from lawmakers, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who warned about the potential for illegal voting.
In the updated memo, Nelson clarified that anyone presenting a non-citizen driver’s license must provide proof of citizenship before they can cast a regular ballot. “Election workers have a responsibility under state law to ensure that only eligible citizens vote,” Nelson wrote.
The initial memo had allowed voters with non-citizen licenses to use them if they were on the voter rolls, noting that some individuals might have become naturalized citizens without updating their licenses. However, the revised guidance takes a stricter approach, requiring naturalization certificates or other documentation of citizenship.
Voters unable to provide proof of citizenship will be required to vote by provisional ballot, pending further verification. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure election integrity and address concerns about potential illegal voting in Texas.
With the state preparing for its next election cycle, voter ID laws and citizenship verification remain hot-button issues, and the updated guidance reflects the importance of maintaining trust in the voting process.
