Conservative Group Pushes for Voter Citizenship Verification

A conservative organization is ramping up efforts to support President Trump and address concerns about non-citizen voting.

Tea Party Patriots Action, a notable grassroots conservative group, plans to promote legislation during its upcoming retreat in August. Their goal is to advocate for a law that mandates evidence of citizenship for voting in federal elections, possibly incorporating it into significant legislative packages like the Budget Resolution or the Annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Jenny Beth Martin, the group’s co-founder, shared with Hill that they will kick off an online petition drive along with in-person initiatives to rally support for this cause.

“Until recently, much of the focus was on the settlement bill. Everyone has their priorities, and sometimes they overlook issues that might not seem pressing to them,” Martin explained. “We’re aiming to remind lawmakers that this issue is important to their constituents.”

“The members I’ve spoken with in both the House and Senate have been open to what we’re proposing,” she added.

Over the next eight weeks, the group and its members will engage with the public at fairs and various community events, encouraging people to participate in discussions and join activities in August. Leadership has organized a Day of Action on August 23, where members will display signs at busy intersections and host small local gatherings to raise awareness.

Tea Party Patriots Action also plans to host events in congressional districts nationwide, expressing gratitude to lawmakers who have backed the Save Act in the House while urging Senate members to do the same. This tour will culminate in September with the delivery of petitions to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

This approach mirrors the earlier grassroots efforts of Tea Party Patriots Action against the Affordable Care Act. Unlike in previous years, the group doesn’t anticipate pushing for shutdowns if their demands aren’t met this time around.

Such a proposal is likely to resonate with conservative lawmakers, especially since Trump has been advocating for stricter voter ID laws, often making inflated claims regarding immigrant voting in the U.S.

In April, the House passed the Save Act, formally titled the Safeguard American Voter Qualifications (SAVE) Act, with a narrow vote of 220-208. Four Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting it.

However, the Senate has yet to address the bill.

While it is currently illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, critics assert that instances of non-citizen voting are rare. Supporters of the bill, however, maintain that it’s necessary to prevent immigrants from voting.

Democrats and other opponents argue that not only is the legislation unnecessary, but it could also disenfranchise many Americans who lack easy access to citizenship documentation required to vote.

Tea Party Patriots Action isn’t solely focused on the Save Act but is backing the passage of similar laws that have already been enacted.

Recently, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) proposed legislation that would count only American citizens in the census, a move seen as aligned with Trump’s interests.

Trump reiterated his desire to reclaim what he believes was a flawed election during a recent press conference in Florida, continuing to assert unverified claims about the 2020 election.

Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. Nevertheless, legal experts have expressed skepticism about this order’s longevity, predicting it could be reversed by a future Democratic president.

Trump’s intense focus on this issue might make it challenging for some Democrats to support similar legislation like the Senate Save Act.

Yet, Martin believed that banning non-citizen voting could attract bipartisan support. She voiced cautious optimism that if such measures were attached to broader legislation, lawmakers might be more inclined to approve them without hesitation.

“I recognize the political landscape we’re in; they might be reluctant to vote on it as a standalone bill in the Senate. However, I think they may not shy away from supporting it if included with other legislation,” she stated.

“President Trump has implemented changes through executive orders, but those may not endure if a new president comes in. We think taking this action is vital for our country. So, we want to prioritize it and push forward,” she concluded.