The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is considering a petition from the America First Legal Foundation that would require documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) for voters using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. This is the latest in a series of nationwide attempts to implement DPOC requirements, including the federal SAVE Act, similar state bills, and a recent presidential executive order. 

DPOC requirements are a voter suppression tactic masquerading as a means of promoting election integrity. 

DPOC requirements are a voter suppression tactic masquerading as a means of promoting election integrity. These measures exploit anti-immigrant sentiment and lies about unlawful noncitizen voting as a part of a much broader effort to make voting harder. 

As part of our ongoing work to fight against DPOC measures at the state and federal levels, Dēmos partnered with State Voices to submit this public comment opposing the proposal. Our analysis highlights the disproportionate burden DPOC requirements place on voters of color and low-income voters. 

Read our comment opposing DPOC requirements 

In the comment, we emphasize the harmful impacts of the proposed change and urge the EAC to reject this latest attempt to suppress the vote through unnecessary and discriminatory documentary proof of citizenship requirements.