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SB 16

Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote, including the eligibility of certain voters to vote a limited federal ballot if the voter cannot supply the required proof and the procedures for the counting of those ballots; creating criminal offenses.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 69 co-sponsors

Texas bill requiring citizenship proof to register; unverified citizens can vote federal-only ballots; creates criminal penalties for violations.

Committee report sent to Calendars
#attorneygeneral(v2811) #birth&deathcertificates(s6418) #crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #elections--administration(i0277) #elections--electionofficers(i0305) #elections--registration&suffrage(i0265) #identificationcards(s0074) #passports(s0246) #secretaryofstate(v0042) #staffdevelopment&training(s0317)
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Bill Summary · SB 16

Legislative bill overview

SB 16 requires Texas voters to submit proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Voters unable to provide such proof can cast a limited federal-only ballot (for federal offices). The bill also creates criminal penalties for violations of these citizenship verification requirements.

Why is this important

Voter eligibility verification directly affects who can participate in elections and shapes electoral outcomes. This bill addresses ongoing debates about election security versus voting access—balancing election integrity concerns against potential barriers for eligible citizens who lack readily available citizenship documentation.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Critics argue proof-of-citizenship requirements may disproportionately burden eligible voters (elderly, homeless, minority communities) who lack documents readily available, creating a de facto voting restriction despite legal eligibility
  • Federal law conflict: Legal scholars debate whether state-imposed citizenship proof requirements conflict with the National Voter Registration Act, which limits documentary demands for federal elections
  • Limited ballot approach: The federal-only ballot compromise may create confusion about voter eligibility and raise questions about equal protection—whether limiting certain citizens to only some ballots satisfies constitutional requirements
  • Criminal penalties scope: Unclear definitions of what constitutes criminal violations could lead to prosecutorial discretion issues or unintended criminalization of registration officials or voters making good-faith errors

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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