In the upcoming election, Texas will present voters with a unique opportunity to weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Among these measures is Proposition 16, which seeks to clarify that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in the state.
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the importance of this amendment, stating it would make the requirement for citizenship explicitly clear within the state constitution. Although existing law already enforces this stipulation, Abbott believes restating it constitutionally could reinforce voter eligibility standards.
Noncitizens casting ballots is a concern that has been echoed by Texas Republicans and others nationwide for years. Despite the rarity of such instances, the consequences for illegal voting are severe, including potential criminal charges and deportation risk.
The proposed constitutional amendment appears as Proposition 16 on ballots and originated from Senate Joint Resolution 37, introduced by North Texas Senator Brian Birdwell. During a public hearing earlier this year, Birdwell discussed the necessity of affirming citizenship as a voting requirement.
While the amendment aligns Texas law with federal regulations, some voting rights advocates argue it is unnecessary, suggesting it could mislead voters into thinking noncitizen voting is widespread. Lee Womack, a representative for a voter rights organization, stated that the amendment might unintentionally create an impression of significant voter fraud where none exists.
Currently, Article 6 of the Texas Constitution already lists groups that are prohibited from voting, including individuals under the age of 18, those deemed mentally incompetent by a court, and convicted felons. The addition of noncitizens to this list would not change any existing laws, but it would serve to publicly affirm the long-standing requirement of citizenship.
Despite calls for more stringent voter registration protocols, including proof of citizenship at registration, such proposals were not successful in the recent legislative session. Nevertheless, Proposition 16 has garnered attention as it will be among the first items voters see on the ballot, ahead of local measures and races.
Early voting in Texas began earlier this month and will continue until October 31, with Election Day set for November 4. Meanwhile, counties across the state are working to meet the deadline of October 24 for receiving mail-in voting applications, and all mail-in ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
In other states, similar measures have been enacted recently. For example, several states such as South Dakota, Idaho, and others passed amendments affirming that only U.S. citizens may vote. Wisconsin also saw success for a GOP-backed amendment last fall, altering the language regarding voting rights to emphasize that only U.S. citizens aged 18 and older are eligible to vote.
Overall, Proposition 16 reflects ongoing discussions about voter eligibility and the perceived risks posed by noncitizen voting. As Texas voters prepare to cast their ballots, this amendment is poised to spark further dialogue on citizenship and voting rights across the state and possibly influence similar measures in other jurisdictions.
image source from：dallasweekly
