Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation to make it “crystal clear” that only American citizens can vote in elections in the Lone Star State.
“I just signed off on a joint resolution to make it crystal clear under the Texas Constitution that if you are not a citizen of the United States of America, you are not allowed to vote in Texas," Abbott said in a social media video post.
Senate Joint Resolution 37 was introduced by Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) in January. It proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify voters in Texas elections must be United States citizens. The amendment would a line to the state constitution that says people who are not citizens shall not be allowed to vote in the state.
Charlie Kolean is the Texas state director for Americans for Citizen Voting, which has been pushing for passage of such resolutions in Texas and other states.
Kolean
“Governor Abbott is absolutely right to make it crystal clear — only American citizens should be deciding American elections,” Kolean said. “This common-sense safeguard is a major step forward, and now Texans will have the opportunity to enshrine it in our Constitution when they vote this November.
“I’m proud that Texas is leading the way in securing election integrity.”
The House passed SJR37 earlier this month, and Abbott signed it May 26.
Now, the issue goes to voters.
The amendment will be placed on ballots for the November 4, 2025, election. The ballot will be printed to permit voting for against the proposition that would say, “The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
In 2023, the Texas Legislature failed to pass a measure to ensure any of its municipalities could not join the growing list. Since then, 11 states have passed similar amendments.
During the last legislative session, ACV sent a letter to Abbott asserting that the amendment was needed because Article VI, Sections 1-2 of the Texas Constitution do not clearly prohibit non-citizens from voting.
If approved by voters, the proposal would amend the state Constitution to add that persons who are not citizens of the U.S. shall not be allowed to vote in the state. It would be the fourth classification of people not allowed to vote. The other three are persons under 18 years of age, persons who have been determined mentally incompetent by a court and persons convicted of any felony.
While non-Americans can’t vote in state or federal elections in Texas, the idea that non-citizens could vote in local and municipal elections is what Kolean’s group hopes to prevent.
In recent years, Americans for Citizen Voting has worked to have similar measures adopted in states. Last November, eight states (Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin) passed laws to keep non-citizens from voting.
Currently, 20 states have laws to make sure only American citizens can vote in that state, and several other states are actively considering such legislation. Texas joins Arkansas, Kansas and South Dakota in having passed similar measures this year.
Supporters contend that the amendment is a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of Texas elections.
They emphasize that while federal law already prohibits non-citizens from participating in federal elections, it is equally important to establish clear and consistent protections at the state level.
Proponents say the state needs to be proactive to prevent non-citizens from voting. Several cities and counties across the nation already allow non-citizens to cast votes in elections.
But critics say the amendment is unnecessary and that the problem isn’t a major issue. They also say it could inadvertently create barriers for eligible voters.
Last month, a federal judge blocked an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that would require documentary proof of citizenship before being allowed to register to vote.
