H.R.1037 - Voter Eligibility Verification Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1037, the Voter Eligibility Verification Act of 2025, aims to expedite the process by which states can verify the citizenship status of individuals for voter eligibility. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to comply with state requests for citizenship information within 15 days. The bill amends Section 642(c) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Expected Effects
This bill, if enacted, would likely lead to more frequent and rapid verification of voter eligibility by states. This could potentially reduce instances of non-citizens voting. It may also affect voter registration processes and potentially impact voter turnout.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces voter fraud by ensuring only eligible citizens vote.
- Increases confidence in election integrity.
- Provides states with a clearer mechanism for verifying voter eligibility.
- May lead to more accurate voter rolls.
- Could deter non-citizens from attempting to register to vote.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to increased scrutiny and potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters, particularly naturalized citizens.
- May place additional burdens on state resources to manage and process citizenship verification requests.
- Potential for errors in data matching, leading to wrongful challenges to voter eligibility.
- Risk of chilling effect on voter registration, especially among immigrant communities.
- Could be perceived as a discriminatory measure targeting specific demographic groups.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. While states have the power to determine voter qualifications under Article I, Section 2, the federal government also has authority over immigration and naturalization. The bill's impact on individual liberties and potential for discrimination raises concerns under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The constitutionality would likely depend on how the law is implemented and whether it results in undue burdens on eligible voters.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).