If you’ve noticed the left throwing around words like “voter suppression” lately, there’s a reason: they’re panicking.
Conservative leaders and grassroots groups are making real progress in pushing for common-sense election rules, like requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote.
And groups tied to Democrat super-lawyer Marc Elias are sounding the alarm because they know these reforms would secure elections in a way they don’t like.
Proof of Citizenship Push
Right now, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a little-known federal agency, is considering a petition to add a simple requirement to its federal voter registration form: show proof that you’re a U.S. citizen.
We’re talking about basic documents like a passport, a Real ID driver’s license that notes citizenship, or a military ID.
America First Legal, founded by Stephen Miller, filed the petition in July.
Since then, over 1,000 public comments have poured in – and the overwhelming majority are in support.
Many of those comments were mobilized by Cleta Mitchell’s Election Integrity Network (EIN), which has built state-level coalitions from North Carolina to Nevada – including our own Pigpen Project.
Jim Womack, part of EIN in North Carolina, told the commission that noncitizen voting, even if rare, undermines public trust in elections.
Affiliates in Tennessee and Michigan echoed the same point: it’s not about numbers, it’s about confidence.
Nevada’s High Stakes
Here in Nevada, the issue hits especially close to home.
Our elections are often razor-thin. In 2022, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto squeaked out a win by fewer than 8,000 votes.
With margins like that, even a small number of illegal votes could change the outcome.
And Nevada’s system is wide open.
We already have automatic voter registration at the DMV, mass mail balloting, and ballot harvesting.
Critics have long pointed out that the state’s voter rolls are bloated with inactive names, and watchdog groups like Mitchell’s EIN are working to train volunteers right here in Nevada to monitor the process.
That kind of grassroots involvement drives Democrats crazy.
They know citizens showing up, asking questions, and demanding accountability make it harder to play games with the system.
Why the Left is Nervous
Marc Elias, the Democrats’ go-to election lawyer, has made a career out of suing states that try to tighten election rules.
His group, Democracy Docket, has already blasted the proof-of-citizenship petition as “voter suppression.”
They point to studies showing noncitizen voting is rare – Georgia found 20 cases out of 8.2 million registrations, Texas found 581 out of 18.6 million – but those numbers miss the point.
Even if just a handful slip through, in a swing state like Nevada that could be the ballgame.
More importantly, the rules should match common sense.
If you have to show ID to board a plane, cash a check, or even get into some government buildings in Carson City, why wouldn’t you show proof of citizenship to vote?
What Critics Say
Opponents argue that some people – like the elderly, disabled, or those without a passport – might find it harder to meet the requirement.
They claim elections are already secure and that these measures would “suppress” turnout.
But supporters fire back that the documentation being requested is standard, widely available, and in many cases already required for everyday life.
As one commenter put it plainly: “Require proof of citizenship to vote!”
A Battle That’s Just Beginning
The public comment period on the AFL petition closes October 20, and then the EAC will decide whether to move forward.
No matter the outcome, this fight isn’t going away.
Across the country, Mitchell’s network is training everyday citizens to get involved in election offices, monitor voter rolls, and push for stronger rules.
Here in Nevada, that means more volunteers at the county level watching how ballots are counted and raising red flags when needed.
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s vital.
The bottom line? The left is panicking because citizens are paying attention.
And when everyday Nevadans roll up their sleeves to protect the integrity of our elections, it’s a lot harder for elites in Washington – or lawyers like Marc Elias – to keep calling the shots.
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The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
