- Federal bill mandates citizenship documentation for voter registration
- 56% of Americans lack REAL ID-compliant identification
- 30,000 legitimate voters blocked in Kansas pilot program
- 8 states already enforce similar citizenship verification laws
The proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act has ignited fierce debates about election administration practicality. Bipartisan state officials express concerns about implementing citizenship verification systems without federal infrastructure support. Current identification databases maintained by Homeland Security and Social Security Administration contain inconsistencies that could disenfranchise naturalized citizens.
Michigan election authorities estimate compliance costs could exceed $12 million annually for document processing alone. Rural counties face particular challenges with in-person documentation requirements - some Montana polling places require 90-mile drives for residents. Name change complications affect 38% of married women according to recent Brennan Center research, creating potential registration barriers.
Georgia's hybrid system demonstrates possible solutions through DMV integration. By cross-referencing driver's license applications with citizenship records, the state processes 92% of registrations automatically. However, Arizona's audit revealed passport-based verification flaws - 1,200 U.S. territory nationals received voting credentials despite ineligibility.
Legal experts warn the bill's penalty clauses could create staffing crises. 74% of county election officials surveyed by NASS report concerns about personal liability risks. This comes as 31 states face election worker shortages following 2020 harassment incidents.
The legislation's database access provisions remain unfunded, potentially shifting verification costs to taxpayers. Kansas spent $1.4 million developing its failed citizenship system before abandoning it in 2019. Analysts predict nationwide implementation could exceed $800 million initially with $260 million annual maintenance.
Technology limitations compound these challenges. Only 14 states currently use electronic poll books capable of real-time citizenship checks. Legacy systems in Pennsylvania and Ohio would require complete overhauls - a process estimated to take 28-34 months per state.