Gary Palmer (R-AL)
Citizen Ballot Protection Act
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Citizen Ballot Protection Act" is a bill that proposes changes to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It would allow states to require applicants to provide proof of United States citizenship on mail voter registration forms. The bill also updates the text of the law to replace "Federal Election Commission" with "Election Assistance Commission". These changes would take effect on the date the Act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Permits states to implement their own citizenship proof requirements on mail forms.
- Scored +3
Does this make elections run better?
Intended to ensure only citizens are registered to vote, enhancing electoral integrity.
The opposite· 3 of 15
- Scored -5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill reinforces citizenship barriers and aims to exclude non-citizens from registration.
- Scored -4
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
Adds an extra step and requirement for mail-in voter registration, potentially reducing access.
- Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Low-income individuals may lack easy access to the required citizenship documentation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Proof of Citizenship: Under Section 2(a), states may require proof of citizenship for mail registration, which is intended to ensure that only citizens are registered to vote in Federal elections.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Additional Requirements: Section 2(a) allows states to add a requirement for proof of citizenship to the mail voter registration form, which adds an extra step for applicants to complete.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill reinforces citizenship barriers and aims to exclude non-citizens from registration. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income individuals may lack easy access to the required citizenship documentation. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Documentation requirements can disproportionately affect minority communities. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Documentation requirements can disproportionately affect minority communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Documentation requirements can disproportionately affect minority communities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Documentation requirements can disproportionately affect minority communities. Would students be better off under this? — Students registering from different states via mail may face higher hurdles. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — First-time voters may find the additional proof of citizenship requirement a barrier to registration. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Additional administrative steps for registration can be a barrier for some people with disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — May face difficulties in accessing required identity documentation. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors may face challenges in locating birth certificates or passports for mail registration.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — Adds an extra step and requirement for mail-in voter registration, potentially reducing access. Does this protect the right to vote? — Increases the burden on citizens to register to vote by adding proof of citizenship requirements. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Additional documentation requirements for registration can disproportionately affect minority populations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Permits states to implement their own citizenship proof requirements on mail forms. Does this make elections run better? — Intended to ensure only citizens are registered to vote, enhancing electoral integrity. Does this give the federal government more power? — While allowing states more power, it amends a federal act to set new parameters for state forms.
- 11/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Andrew ClydeRepublican · Georgia
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama