Gessler recommends proof of citizenship to register to vote

Driver’s license comparison finds 16,270 potential non-citizen-voters

Denver, January 26, 2011 – Today Secretary of State Scott Gessler testified in support of Senate Bill 18, which would require proof of citizenship prior to registering to vote. As part of his testimony Gessler described serious vulnerabilities seen within the state’s voter registration system and also vowed to work with others to preserve open access to the rolls.

Gessler’s office performed a comparison using data from the Department of Revenue and the state’s registration system that resulted in more than 16,000 potential matches of non-citizens on the state’s voter rolls. Since 2006, Colorado residents seeking a state driver’s license or identification card must show proof of lawful presence in the United States. Though most
residents show proof of citizenship, some non-citizens show other documents allowing them to live and work in the country legally. Gessler compared those residents that showed a work visa or similar document against the state’s voter rolls to potentially identify non-citizens registered using a state issue identification card.

“This is definitely a cause for concern and Senate Bill 18 would give my office express authority to seek additional proof of citizenship in these instances,” Gessler said. “We already verify the other fields on the voter registration form. We need to give Colorado voters the integrity they deserve in their voter rolls.”

Additionally, Gessler’s review of the statewide voter registration database identified 154 persons who submitted voter registration applications that were later determined to be ineligible. Some of those applicants were removed from the rolls upon their own requests.

“We have specific examples of non-citizens registering to vote and attempting to register to vote,” Gessler said. “I think most will agree that we have vulnerability and I’m open to working with opponents of the measure to improve the integrity of our voter rolls, while preserving access to the ballot for the citizens of this state.”

The bill was defeated on a 3-2 party-line vote.