Proposing a constitutional amendment adding individuals who are not United States citizens to the classes of persons not allowed to vote in this state.
Summary
HJR 161 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly add non-U.S. citizens to the list of people who are not allowed to vote in Texas. The amendment would revise Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution, which already bars voting by persons under 18, persons adjudged mentally incompetent by a court (subject to legislative exceptions), and persons convicted of a felony (subject to legislative exceptions). The new language would add a fourth disqualification: persons who are not citizens of the United States.
If approved by voters, the measure would place this citizenship restriction directly into the state constitution rather than leaving it only to statutory interpretation or election administration practices. The resolution also sets the proposed amendment for submission to voters at the November 4, 2025 election, with a ballot proposition asking whether to adopt the change.
Impact
The bill would amend the Texas Constitution’s voting qualifications by expressly prohibiting non-citizens from voting in state elections. Its practical effect would be to codify a citizenship requirement in the constitution, reinforcing election eligibility rules for election officials, county clerks, and voters, and potentially limiting future legal or policy arguments about non-citizen voting eligibility. It would affect Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution and the administration of voter registration and ballot access.
Sentiment
The available record shows the resolution was filed and referred through the Elections committees, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes included here to show detailed debate. Based on the text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a straightforward election-integrity or voter-qualification amendment, with no documented opposition or support statements in the provided materials. The last recorded action—laid on the table subject to call—suggests the proposal did not advance immediately, but the context provided does not explain why.
Contention
The main point of contention likely concerns whether the Texas Constitution should be amended to expressly state a citizenship requirement for voting, rather than relying on existing law and election administration practices. Supporters would likely view the amendment as clarifying and reinforcing that only U.S. citizens may vote, while critics may argue it is unnecessary, symbolic, or could contribute to confusion about current voter eligibility rules. No specific stakeholder positions, amendments, or recorded debate are provided in the materials, so the exact lines of disagreement are not documented here.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit voting in Federal, State, or local elections by individuals who are not citizens of the United States.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit persons who are not citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States from voting in elections.
Establishes a notice of voting restriction and a restriction code applicable to persons who are not United States citizens and aliens lawfully present in the United States but have not attained United States citizenship (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)
Proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 5 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to require individuals to be citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age and a resident of the voting area in which such person seeks to vote in order to vote in this state.
Proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 5 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to require individuals to be citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age and a resident of the voting area in which such person seeks to vote in order to vote in this state.