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New Democracy Maps

Democracy 101: Understanding Proof of Citizenship Requirements for Voter Registration

Overview

Voter registration is the first step in the process for eligible voters to exercise their fundamental right. However, state laws governing voter registration differ significantly, with some states automatically registering eligible voters and allowing same-day registration, while others impose restrictions on registration drives and conduct unfair and often flawed voter purges.

Recently, policy proposals requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration have emerged, threatening to disenfranchise millions of otherwise eligible voters. Proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration would upend our election systems and create significant barriers to participation in the democratic process for otherwise eligible voters. These laws require all eligible voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or original birth certificate, in order to register to vote.

>> Click through the embedded brief below to read more, or download a PDF version here.


Additional Resources

To view a static PDF version of this brief, click here or below.

To learn more about all of the 50+ voting and election policies we track in real time, visit the Democracy Maps.


Additional Resources

To view a static PDF version of this brief, click here or below.

To learn more about all of the 50+ voting and election policies we track in real time, visit the Democracy Maps.

ABOUT THIS SERIES


With new legislative sessions underway in states across the country, MAP’s "Democracy 101" series focuses on educating communities about emerging trends in election and voting-related legislation.
The policies detailed in this series are among the 50+ laws we track in real time with our Democracy Maps

Author

Recommended citation


Movement Advancement Project. March 2025. Democracy 101: Understanding Proof of Citizenship Requirements for Voter Registration. www.mapresearch.org/2025-democracy-101-proof-of-citizenship.

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Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

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