Story perspectives

Texas AG Paxton Champions Citizenship Proof for Voter Registration

10/21/2025

Summary

Story summary

On October 20, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led a coalition of 14 states in submitting to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission a comment supporting America First Legal's petition for proof of U.S. citizenship on federal voter registration forms.
Free Speech For People opposed the proposal, arguing it would disenfranchise 21 million Americans and create voting barriers.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is gathering public comments on this issue.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a pivotal law aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting, empowering over 1 million Southern voters. Despite its success, the 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder weakened its provisions, allowing states like Texas to impose restrictive measures, echoing historical disenfranchisement efforts and raising ongoing concerns about equitable voting rights in America.

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Story summary

On October 20, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led a coalition of 14 states in submitting to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission a comment supporting America First Legal's petition for proof of U.S. citizenship on federal voter registration forms.
Free Speech For People opposed the proposal, arguing it would disenfranchise 21 million Americans and create voting barriers.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is gathering public comments on this issue.

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