States Push Citizenship Proof Voting Laws

0:00I'm Cory, and this is your Pulse of the City, Durham News Today. Republicans in several states are moving forward with laws requiring proof of citizenship to vote fully, even as the similar federal bill stalls in the Senate. South Dakota and Utah just gave final approval to measures creating a two-tier system. Voters who show documents like a passport or birth certificate can vote in all elections, while those who don't are limited to federal races. This comes after the House passed the Safe Guard American Voter Eligibility Act last month, but Democrats are blocking it. Florida's bill has cleared one chamber, Missouri held a committee hearing, and in Michigan, backers turned in 750,000 petition, signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. These state efforts build on Arizona's model, with thousands vote only in federal contests without proof. Federal law already bans non-citizens from voting, with stiff penalties, but supporters say affirmations on registration forms aren't enough.

1:01A recent case in Michigan fueled the push, where a Chinese student faced charges for trying to vote illegally using a school ID. Organizers say fixing small issues builds election confidence. Meanwhile, voting rights groups warned these rules could block eligible citizens, like those without birth certificates due to historical barriers faced. By black families, in Florida, one lawmaker shared how her aunt struggles to prove citizenship from a home birth in segregated South Carolina. Critics point to Kansas, where a similar law from 15 years ago suspended more than 31,000 citizens from registering before courts, struck it down. Legal fights are already brewing in places like New Hampshire and Louisiana, where new laws face lawsuits and enforcement delays. Wyoming's version survived an early challenge, but experts expect more court battles ahead of this fall's elections. This story is made possible by our sponsor. Some chase peace. I put my head in it. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com