2017 -- H 5886

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LC002059

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS CHANGE

FEDERAL LAW IN ORDER TO ALLOW STATES TO REQUIRE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP

AS A REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER TO VOTE

     Introduced By: Representative Robert A. Nardolillo

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, In 1993, The United States Congress enacted the Motor Voter Law, which

requires states to use a federal form for voter registration. Federal law prohibits states from

requiring proof of citizenship in order to register to vote; and

     WHEREAS, In 2013, the United States Supreme Court in Arizona v. Inter-Tribal Council

of Arizona ruled that a state cannot require proof of citizenship for registering to vote because the

federal registration form does not require proof of citizenship; and

     WHEREAS, Not allowing the states to require proof of citizenship to register to vote

causes voting irregularities and makes it possible for non-citizens to vote in our elections; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the United States Congress change federal

law in order to allow states to require proof of citizenship as a requirement to register to vote; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Paul Ryan, Speaker of the United States House

of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, United States House of Representatives Minority Leader, Mitch

McConnell, United States Senate Majority Leader, Charles Schumer, United States Senate

Minority Leader, and the Rhode Island Congressional delegation.

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LC002059

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