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WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) announced that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has opened a nationwide public comment period on AFL’s petition to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (DPOC) on the federal voter registration form. The deadline for public comments is Monday, October 20, 2025.
This public comment period, quintessentially American, provides all Americans the ability to speak up and be heard. Voting in our elections is a privilege for all American citizens—one to treasure. AFL encourages all Americans to use this historic opportunity to support this commonsense measure and help ensure secure federal elections across the United States.
Comments can be submitted by clicking here.
The federal voter registration form, created under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), currently only requires applicants to check a box affirming their U.S. citizenship. AFL’s petition, filed on July 16, 2025, argues that the NVRA’s reliance on an “honor system” is inadequate, undermines public confidence, and fails to provide the same commonsense safeguards already required to obtain a U.S. passport, Social Security benefits, or a driver’s license.
Requiring DPOC is a simple, uniform safeguard that ensures the federal form does not weaken state election laws or force states to accept registrations that would otherwise be rejected. As AFL’s petition notes, even isolated cases of noncitizen registration or voting erode public trust. DPOC ensures fairness, uniformity, and integrity in the voter registration process, protecting both the rule of law and the marketplace of ideas.
The Federal Register’s publication of the EAC’s notice on August 21, 2025, represents the first formal step in the rulemaking process and demonstrates that AFL’s petition has sufficient merit to warrant serious consideration by the Commission. This comment period represents a critical, landmark opportunity for allied organizations, states, and citizens to weigh in and strengthen the record in support of election integrity.
“This is a critical opportunity for every American to lend their voice and support a formal federal requirement for PROOF of citizenship to register to vote,” said Gene Hamilton, President of America First Legal. “The answer is beyond dispute: citizenship is foundational to free, fair elections, and relying only on self-attestation is an open invitation for abuse. America First Legal will not stand by while our elections are weakened by loopholes and fraudulent actors. We urge every American who cares about the rule of law and election integrity to make their voices heard during this historic comment period.”
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and that right belongs exclusively to American citizens,” said James Rogers, Senior Counsel for America First Legal. “By requiring documentary proof of citizenship, we can finally close a big loophole that allows aliens to register and vote in our elections. This is our moment to demand that the EAC fulfill its duty to protect American elections. This is an important step for election integrity. Now it’s time for every American who believes that only citizens should vote to make their voices heard. The window is closing fast—we have until October 20th to flood the EAC with comments supporting this commonsense reform.”
“You can’t expect people who would undermine our democracy to be restrained by an honor system. This is a commonsense proposal that will strengthen our elections and help ensure the American people have their voices heard at the ballot box. Remember—every illegal vote cancels out a legal vote, robbing an American citizen of their opportunity to participate in our democracy,” said Ryan Giannetti, Counsel for America First Legal.
Read the EAC’s notice here.
Submit comments here.
Read AFL’s petition here.
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