DOJ Sides With Wyoming in Proof of Citizenship Voting Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest Tuesday defending Wyoming for its newly enacted law that requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. 

The DOJ argues that restrictive registration laws like HB 156 are valid and constitutional, emphasizing that states have broad authority to secure their voter rolls and prevent alleged fraud.

“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote is one valid way for Wyoming to secure the voting process,” the DOJ wrote.

The plaintiffs in the case argue that HB 156 imposes unconstitutional burdens on eligible voters as it requires registrants to provide documents such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers — which, they argue, many eligible voters do not have ready access to.

The DOJ does not address the plaintiffs’ specific claims about the burdens imposed by HB 156. Instead, the statement focuses narrowly on defending the state’s general authority to enact such measures and that the state is justified in attempting to bolster voter confidence. 

“Laws designed to prevent voter fraud enhance public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, which in turn encourages citizen participation in the democratic process,” the DOJ claimed.

The DOJ also cited Executive Order 14248, issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which directs the Attorney General to prioritize enforcement of voter fraud laws. The statement references the executive order’s language explicitly on the importance of “free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion.”

While the DOJ claims it “takes no position on any other issue before this Court,” its involvement adds another dimension to the ongoing case. 

This follows the RNC’s motion to intervene in the case to defend the law alongside Secretary of State Chuck Gray, as previously reported by Democracy Docket.