"[E]lection workers have an obligation under state criminal law not to facilitate illegal voting by non-citizens," reads a Friday memo from Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson to election officials regarding the updated guidance. "When an individual attempts to vote by presenting a temporary or limited-term driver’s license (which federal regulations say must be issued only to non-citizens who are lawfully present in this country) election workers must require that the individual produce a naturalization card or naturalization certificate demonstrating U.S. citizenship to receive a regular ballot."
Nelson said the change came after the state’s attorney general did not respond to her office’s request for a "formal legal opinion" on "this important issue."
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told The Federalist the updated guidance is a "good step" in the right direction.
"It is critically important that Texas take every legal step necessary to ensure that not a single noncitizen votes," Roy said. "The secretary of state’s modified guidance was a good step in that direction. I think we need to have continued conversation ensuring that we’ve done all we can do ... and the Texas legislature should clarify the law further to ensure integrity in our elections."