Facing pressure from lawmakers and election integrity advocates, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson has issued new voter ID guidelines in response to concerns about non-citizen driver’s licenses being used as identification at polling stations. The revised guidance, released on Friday, comes after an earlier memo drew widespread criticism.
The initial guidance allowed individuals with limited-term driver’s licenses — typically issued to non-citizens — to use those licenses as voter ID if they were on the voter rolls. This raised concerns that non-citizens might be able to vote, leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others to demand changes.
In the updated memo, Nelson clarified that voters presenting a non-citizen license must now provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate, before casting a regular ballot. “Election workers must verify citizenship to prevent illegal voting,” Nelson stated.
Earlier, Nelson’s office had acknowledged that some individuals might have become naturalized citizens after receiving their limited-term licenses, but the revised rules now require those voters to show additional proof of citizenship. If they cannot provide such documentation, they will be allowed to vote provisionally while their eligibility is verified.
The revision aims to address concerns about illegal voting while ensuring that naturalized citizens can still participate in elections. As Texas heads into its next election cycle, voter ID laws and election integrity remain central issues.
