Key Takeaways
• Rep. MTG proposes citizenship proof to vote and a census counting only U.S. citizens, excluding non-citizens.
• Bill requires documents like U.S. passport or naturalization certificate for federal voter registration.
• Excluding non-citizens from the census could reduce representation for immigrant-populated states like California and Texas.
As of early July 2025, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (often referred to as Rep. MTG), a Republican from Georgia, is preparing to introduce a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and call for a new census that only counts U.S. citizens. This proposal has sparked intense debate in Washington, D.C., and across the United States 🇺🇸, raising questions about voting rights, the accuracy of the census, and the future of political representation in Congress.
What Is Rep. MTG Proposing and Why Now?
Rep. MTG’s bill, still in the drafting stage as of July 2025, would make two major changes to current federal practices:
- Require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
- Mandate a new census that excludes undocumented immigrants, counting only U.S. citizens for purposes such as congressional apportionment and Electoral College allocation.
Rep. MTG has described her proposal as a way to protect national security and ensure that only citizens have a say in federal elections. She claims that current policies allow non-citizens to influence U.S. politics and that Democrats support these policies to gain political power. According to her public statements, the bill is meant to stop what she calls a “world takeover” of the United States 🇺🇸 by non-citizens.
Former President Trump has voiced strong support for Rep. MTG’s bill, calling it a “great idea” and urging Congress to pass it quickly. His backing has given the proposal more attention and made it a key issue for many Republican lawmakers and voters.
How Would the Bill Change Voting and the Census?
Proof of Citizenship for Voting
If passed, the bill would require every person registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of citizenship. This means that people would need to show official documents, such as:
- A U.S. passport
- A birth certificate showing birth in the United States 🇺🇸
- A Certificate of Naturalization (for those who became citizens after birth)
- A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card that states citizenship status
This requirement would apply to all new voter registrations for federal elections. States would have to check these documents before allowing someone to register to vote for president, Congress, or other federal offices.
New Census Counting Only Citizens
The bill would also require the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct a new census that counts only U.S. citizens. This is a major change from current practice, where the census counts all people living in the United States 🇺🇸, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.
The results of this new census would be used to:
- Decide how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Allocate votes in the Electoral College, which chooses the president
If non-citizens are excluded from the count, states with large immigrant populations—such as California, Texas, and New York—could lose seats in Congress and have less influence in presidential elections.
Why Is This Proposal So Controversial?
Supporters’ Arguments
Supporters of Rep. MTG’s bill say it is needed to:
- Protect election integrity by making sure only citizens can vote in federal elections
- Prevent non-citizens from influencing U.S. politics
- Ensure fair representation by counting only citizens when dividing up seats in Congress
They argue that requiring proof of citizenship is a common-sense step and that the census should reflect the citizen population, not the total number of residents.
Opponents’ Concerns
Opponents, including many Democrats, civil rights groups, and legal experts, warn that the bill could:
- Disenfranchise eligible voters by making it harder for some citizens to register, especially those who do not have easy access to official documents
- Violate the U.S. Constitution, which says the census must count the “whole number of persons” in each state, not just citizens
- Reduce representation for states with large immigrant populations, shifting political power away from diverse states and communities
- Increase administrative burdens for election officials and the Census Bureau, making it harder to run elections and count the population accurately
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other voting rights advocates have strongly opposed similar proof-of-citizenship requirements in the past, arguing that they can lead to voter suppression and legal challenges.
What Does the Law Say About Voting and the Census?
Current Voting Laws
Under current federal law, only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. However, most states do not require documentary proof of citizenship to register. Instead, people sign a statement under penalty of perjury saying they are citizens. Some states have tried to add proof-of-citizenship requirements, but these efforts have often been blocked by courts.
For example, in April 2025, a federal court stopped a Trump-era executive order that would have required documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. The court said this rule was likely unconstitutional and would make it too hard for eligible voters to register.
The SAVE Act (H.R. 22), introduced in April 2025, is another bill that would require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. It defines what documents are acceptable and is part of a wider push to tighten voter eligibility rules. You can read the full text and status of H.R. 22 on the official U.S. Congress website.
Current Census Practice
The U.S. Census Bureau currently counts all people living in the United States 🇺🇸, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This count is used to divide up seats in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College.
The Constitution says that the census must count the “whole number of persons in each state.” Legal experts say this means everyone living in the country, not just citizens. Past attempts to change this rule have faced strong legal challenges and have not succeeded.
What Could Happen If the Bill Passes?
Changes for Voters
If Rep. MTG’s bill becomes law, every person registering to vote in federal elections would need to show proof of citizenship. This could make the process more complicated, especially for people who:
- Were born at home and do not have a birth certificate
- Lost their documents due to natural disasters or other reasons
- Are elderly or live in rural areas with limited access to government offices
Election officials would have to check and store these documents, which could slow down the registration process and increase costs.
Changes for the Census
The Census Bureau would have to organize a new count that excludes non-citizens. This would be a huge and expensive task, as the Bureau would need to find out the citizenship status of every person living in the country.
States with many immigrants could lose seats in Congress and have less say in presidential elections. This could change the balance of power in Washington, D.C., and affect how federal money is distributed to the states.
Legal Battles
Legal experts expect that the bill would face immediate court challenges. Opponents would likely argue that:
- Excluding non-citizens from the census violates the Constitution
- Requiring proof of citizenship to vote creates unfair barriers for eligible voters
Courts have blocked similar efforts in the past, and the outcome of new legal battles is uncertain.
Who Would Be Most Affected?
Immigrants and Their Families
States with large immigrant populations, including both citizens and non-citizens, could lose political power and federal funding. Families with mixed immigration status—where some members are citizens and others are not—could be especially affected by changes in representation and government services.
Election Officials
Local and state election officials would have to change their voter registration systems, train staff, and handle more paperwork. This could lead to delays and mistakes, especially in the first few years after the law takes effect.
The Census Bureau
The Census Bureau would face new challenges in collecting accurate data. Asking about citizenship status could make some people afraid to respond, leading to an undercount and less reliable information.
All U.S. Citizens
Changes in how House seats and Electoral College votes are divided could affect every citizen’s representation in Congress and influence future elections.
What Do Experts and Stakeholders Say?
Supporters
Supporters, including Rep. MTG and President Trump, say the bill is needed to protect the country and make sure only citizens have a voice in federal elections. They argue that the current system is too easy to abuse and that counting only citizens in the census is fairer for everyone.
Opponents
Opponents, including the ACLU and many voting rights groups, warn that the bill could take away the right to vote from eligible citizens and violate the Constitution. They say that requiring proof of citizenship is an unnecessary barrier and that the census should count everyone living in the country, as it always has.
Legal Experts
Legal experts point out that the Constitution requires the census to count all residents, not just citizens. They also note that courts have blocked similar proof-of-citizenship requirements in the past, saying they make it too hard for people to register and vote.
Historical and Political Background
The debate over who should be counted in the census and who should be allowed to vote has a long history in the United States 🇺🇸. In the past, some states tried to limit voting to certain groups, but federal laws and court decisions have expanded voting rights over time.
The Trump administration tried to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, but the Supreme Court blocked the effort. Since then, some lawmakers have continued to push for changes to census and voting rules, arguing that they are needed to protect the country.
Rep. MTG’s bill is the latest in a series of efforts to tighten voting rules and change how political power is divided among the states.
What Happens Next?
The future of Rep. MTG’s bill is uncertain. Its progress will depend on:
- Support in Congress: The bill will need enough votes in the House and Senate to pass. With strong Republican support and President Trump’s backing, it may advance in the House, but it could face tougher opposition in the Senate.
- Legal Challenges: If the bill passes, it will almost certainly be challenged in court. Judges will have to decide if it violates the Constitution or federal law.
- Public Reaction: The bill could become a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with both sides using it to rally their supporters.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over proof of citizenship and the new census highlights deep divisions in American politics over immigration, voting rights, and representation. The outcome will have lasting effects on how the United States 🇺🇸 counts its people and chooses its leaders.
Where to Find More Information
- For updates on the bill’s progress and the full text of related legislation, visit the U.S. Congress official website.
- For information on voting rights and legal challenges, the ACLU Voting Rights Project offers resources and updates.
- For details about the census and how it works, the U.S. Census Bureau provides official information and data.
What Should Readers Do Next?
If you are concerned about how these changes could affect your right to vote or your community’s representation, consider:
- Checking your voter registration status and making sure your documents are up to date
- Learning about your state’s current voter registration requirements
- Following news from trusted sources about the progress of Rep. MTG’s bill and related legal cases
- Contacting your elected representatives to share your views on proof of citizenship and the new census
These steps can help you stay informed and prepared for any changes in voting or census rules.
Conclusion
Rep. MTG’s proposal to require proof of citizenship for voting and to conduct a new census counting only citizens is a major development in U.S. immigration and voting policy. The bill has strong support from some political leaders but faces serious legal, practical, and constitutional challenges. Its outcome will shape the future of voting rights, political representation, and the role of immigrants in American society for years to come.
Learn Today
Proof of Citizenship → Official documents verifying an individual’s legal status as a U.S. citizen required for voter registration.
Census → An official population count used to allocate congressional seats and Electoral College votes.
Electoral College → A body that formally elects the U.S. president based on state-level vote results.
Certificate of Naturalization → A document granted to immigrants who become U.S. citizens after birth.
SAVE Act → A 2025 bill proposing proof of citizenship requirements for federal voter registration.
This Article in a Nutshell
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is pushing a bill forcing proof of citizenship for voting and a census counting only citizens. This could reshape political power by excluding non-citizens from representation, sparking major legal and political debates about voting rights and census accuracy in the U.S.
— By VisaVerge.com
