Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a joint resolution to amend the state constitution and make it a requirement for U.S. citizens to only be allowed to vote in elections in Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
But the amendment proposes adding a line to the classes of people who "shall not be allowed to vote" in Texas, which reads, "persons who are not citizens of the United States."
Birdwell’s joint resolution was approved by the state senate in April, then by the state house in May.
Abbott signed the joint resolution on Monday, but it still has one more step. In fact, Texas citizens will have the final say in November on whether the state constitution can be ratified to include the requirement in the state constitution.
TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON VOTING BLOCKED BY FEDERAL JUDGE AMID FLURRY OF LEGAL SETBACKS
A voter fills out her ballot. (GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images)
The first blocked provision sought to compel the Election Assistance Commission to amend standardized national voter registration forms to require documentary proof of citizenship. The second sought to require federal agencies offering voter registration to people on public assistance to "assess" the individual's citizenship status before doing so.
"Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the States — not the President — with the authority to regulate federal elections. Consistent with that allocation of power, Congress is currently debating legislation that would affect many of the changes the President purports to order," Kollar-Kotelly, a Clinton-appointee, wrote in her order. "No statutory delegation of authority to the Executive Branch permits the President to short-circuit Congress’s deliberative process by executive order."
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Meanwhile, 25 states, including Texas, are considering some form of proof-of-citizenship legislation, according to the Voting Rights Lab, which is tracking such legislation. In total, 15 state constitutions have explicit prohibitions against non-citizen voting.
Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-governor-makes-crystal-clear-only-u-s-citizens-can-vote-state-elections