Texas takes a historic stand against foreign election influence as Governor Greg Abbott signs a resolution banning non-citizens from voting, putting the fate of this constitutional amendment in the hands of Texas voters this November.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Abbott signed a joint resolution to amend the Texas constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting, reinforcing election integrity measures.
- The constitutional amendment will require voter approval in November to officially become law.
- If passed, Texas will join 15 other states that already have explicit constitutional prohibitions against non-citizen voting.
- The amendment comes as a separate, more comprehensive citizenship verification bill (SB 16) failed to meet legislative deadlines.
- The resolution strengthens Texas’ position in the national debate on voter eligibility and citizenship requirements.
Abbott Takes Bold Action to Safeguard Texas Elections
Governor Greg Abbott has taken decisive action to protect Texas elections from foreign influence by signing Senate Joint Resolution 37, which aims to amend the state constitution to explicitly ban non-citizens from voting. The resolution, introduced by Republican State Senator Brian Birdwell, expands the list of those prohibited from casting ballots to specifically include non-citizens. This constitutional clarification comes amid growing national concerns about election integrity and the fundamental requirement that only American citizens should participate in American elections.
“I just approved a joint resolution to make it obvious in the Texas Constitution that if you are not a citizen of the United States of America, you are not allowed to vote in Texas,” Governor Abbott stated after signing the resolution, emphasizing the measure’s importance in reinforcing election security.
Constitutional Amendment Awaits Voter Approval
The proposed amendment must now secure approval from Texas voters in the November election before being officially adopted into the state constitution. If passed, the measure would formalize what many Texans already consider common sense – that only U.S. citizens should determine American election outcomes. The amendment would place non-citizens alongside other groups already prohibited from voting, including minors, convicted felons, and individuals deemed mentally unfit. This clarification aligns with existing federal law but provides constitutional reinforcement at the state level.
“This amendment makes it crystal clear,” Governor Abbott noted, highlighting how the constitutional change would “strengthen election integrity” throughout Texas.
More Comprehensive Citizenship Verification Bill Stalls
The constitutional amendment proposal comes as a more detailed citizenship verification measure, Senate Bill 16, failed to advance in the legislative process, missing a critical House deadline. That bill would have implemented specific proof-of-citizenship requirements for all 18.6 million registered Texas voters and established enforcement mechanisms. Despite having 50 Republican co-sponsors in the House and passing the Senate along party lines, the bill’s complexity and potential implementation challenges ultimately led to its demise during the regular legislative session.
“It’s just a challenge to make this a new policy out of whole cloth, which would require a significant amount of investment in terms of time and money to facilitate and then legally to defend it,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.
Texas Joins National Movement to Protect Citizen-Only Voting
Texas’s proposed constitutional amendment reflects a broader national movement to clarify voting eligibility requirements. Currently, 15 states already have constitutional provisions explicitly prohibiting non-citizen voting, with legislation on voter citizenship verification being considered in 25 states nationwide. If adopted, the Texas amendment would significantly strengthen the state’s legal framework for elections and potentially influence similar measures across the country. The amendment’s passage would represent a victory for those advocating for stricter election integrity measures.
While the constitutional amendment lacks specific enforcement mechanisms contained in the failed Senate Bill 16, it nevertheless establishes a clear constitutional principle that can guide future legislation. Election integrity advocates view the amendment as an important first step in a broader effort to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in Texas elections. With voter approval in November, Texas would join the growing number of states taking concrete action to protect their electoral processes from potential foreign influence.
