South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined attorneys general from 13 other states in calling for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone registering to vote in federal elections. The coalition submitted formal comments supporting a petition by the America First Legal Foundation, which seeks to tighten federal voter registration requirements.
Attorney General Wilson stated, “Our elections must reflect the will of the American people and that starts with making sure that only Americans are voting. This isn’t partisan, it’s patriotic. Voting is one of the most sacred rights of American citizenship. Every time a non-citizen votes, it cancels out the voice of a legitimate voter. South Carolina has worked hard to safeguard our elections, and it’s time the federal government follows suit. Requiring proof of citizenship is just common sense; it protects our democracy and restores public trust.”
The coalition’s letter argues that the current federal voter registration process depends on applicants’ self-attestation of citizenship, without requiring any documentation, which they believe leaves the system open to potential fraud and errors. The attorneys general claim this limitation restricts state officials’ ability to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens are registered to vote. They further state that requiring documentary proof would help close these gaps, improve the accuracy of voter rolls, and align federal policy with previous executive orders from President Trump.
The letter also asserts that the EAC has the legal authority to implement such a rule, describing it as both lawful and necessary to maintain the integrity of future elections.
South Carolina’s participation includes attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia.
