Bill > HB1263

This bill strengthens voter registration citizenship verification procedures in Texas by requiring applicants to provide proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Under the new law, individuals submitting voter registration applications must present acceptable documentation such as an unexpired passport, a certified birth certificate with government-issued photo ID, or United States citizenship papers. When an application is submitted to the Department of Public Safety in person, proof of citizenship must be provided immediately. For applications submitted through other methods, the secretary of state will verify the applicant's citizenship status with the Department of Public Safety, and if citizenship cannot be confirmed, the applicant will be notified and given 60 days to provide acceptable proof of citizenship. If an applicant fails to provide the required documentation within the specified timeframe, their voter registration application will be rejected. The bill also makes several technical amendments to the Election Code, such as modifying registration effective dates and removing certain existing provisions. These changes will apply to voter registration applications submitted on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and are designed to ensure that only United States citizens can register to vote in Texas.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1263