This article is part of the Democracy Watch ‘26 series, a Democracy Works initiative breaking down the voting news, court decisions, and key elections that voters should know ahead of the November midterm elections. Today’s #DW26 update examines a trend of recent state election laws related to documentary proof of citizenship.
Across the country, election officials work hard to ensure that our elections are accessible, transparent, and secure. There is broad consensus among Americans that only eligible voters should be able to cast a ballot, and election offices in every state currently implement processes, like voter registration list maintenance, to protect election integrity. Laws related to voter eligibility and registration must guarantee accurate voter rolls while maintaining accessible processes for eligible voters, and state policymakers approach this balance in different ways.
It is illegal under existing federal law for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and only a small number of jurisdictions allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. Every state requires voter registration applicants to attest, under penalty of perjury, that they are US citizens. Research has consistently shown that illegal noncitizen voting is rare and incidents are disconnected. At the same time, some lawmakers argue that additional verification measures are needed to further strengthen election integrity.
This year, state and federal lawmakers have expanded efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting. In recent weeks, Utah, South Dakota, Florida, and Mississippi enacted laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC)—such as a passport or birth certificate—either from all registrants or if citizenship cannot be verified across several databases. At the federal level, the Senate is considering the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, a bill that would modify voter registration and voter ID procedures nationwide.
Here’s What You Should Know:
As of April 2026, 12 states have enacted laws requiring proof of citizenship in at least some cases when registering to vote. DPOC laws can take several forms, so it’s important to understand the requirements and citizenship verification procedures specific to your state.
Among states that enacted DPOC laws this year, Utah and South Dakota each created a bifurcated system. Under this framework, which applies to new registrants in South Dakota and all voters in Utah, individuals who do not provide DPOC are only allowed to participate in federal elections for president, US Senate, and US House of Representatives—but not state and local elections. In Utah, election officials will have until July 1, 2026, to review existing voter registration records and notify suspected noncitizens, who in turn must show DPOC within 30 days. South Dakota’s law is already in force, while Utah’s law takes effect on May 6, 2026.
Alternatively, laws in Florida and Mississippi do not establish a bifurcated system, but instead require DPOC when someone’s citizenship status cannot be proven through alternate means. Under Florida’s law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2027, voter registration applicants—including those who update their registration—must present DPOC if their citizenship status cannot be verified by existing state records. Florida officials must also use state and federal databases to identify registered voters who are potentially ineligible, and these individuals will be required to provide DPOC. Similarly, under a law effective July 1, 2026, prospective voters in Mississippi must provide proof of citizenship if election officials cannot verify their eligibility using state and federal databases.
Together, these state laws mirror attempts to enact DPOC requirements at the federal level. The SAVE America Act, which remains under debate in the US Senate, would mandate DPOC when registering to vote or updating your registration in federal elections. The bill would require more in-person processes, particularly when it comes to presenting citizenship documentation, significantly restructuring how voter eligibility is verified nationwide.
Bipartisan researchers have raised concerns that DPOC requirements could create an undue burden for voters. According to one report, almost 1 in 10 eligible voters lack easy access to DPOC, placing millions of American citizens at a logistical disadvantage. Furthermore, there is no evidence that current citizen attestation procedures are an ineffective deterrent to noncitizen voting. Meanwhile, supporters of DPOC laws argue that such requirements could increase confidence in election systems by strengthening verification processes.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- Confirm which documentation you’ll need to register to vote, or update your registration, in your jurisdiction. TurboVote can help you register to vote or check your registration status, and offers specific guidance for how to vote in each state.
- If you must show proof of citizenship, make a plan for which documents you’ll provide. Contact your local election office if you have questions about acceptable forms of identification.
- To ensure you can gather all necessary documents in time, pay attention to voter registration deadlines for elections in your area.
- Keep in mind that voter registration processes and identification requirements can change due to federal and state legislation, as well as litigation.
Democracy Works is committed to helping you vote with confidence this year. Get the information you need to vote, all in one place, at turbovote.org. And subscribe to our newsletter for more #DW26 updates delivered to your inbox.
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