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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
With illegal immigration remaining one of the biggest issues for Tennessee voters, a bill has been filed for the 2025 legislative session that seeks to increase the integrity of state elections by requiring proof of US citizenship for voter registration.
HB0202, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Keisling (R-Dist. 38- Byrdstown), would require any person registering to vote in Tennessee after July 1, 2025 to submit proof of US citizenship along with the standard registration forms. Acceptable forms of proof include an original or legible copy of a birth certificate, US passport, or any naturalization documentation.
The state coordinator of elections is then required to compare the voter registration database with, “relevant databases of state and federal agencies to ensure non-United States citizens are not registered to vote” in Tennessee each month and notify the state and relevant county election commissions should they find any discrepancies.
Once notified by the state of a potentially illegal voter, within five days the local county election commission must then notify the voter who in turn is responsible for providing proof of citizenship documents to the county.
If proof is not received within 30 days of notification, the county administrator of elections shall, “purge the voter from the voter registration database, but shall permanently maintain the person’s registration and voting history.”
Should a voter be removed for failure to meet the citizenship requirements, an appeals process is provided where a voter may have one last chance to petition the state election commission within 14 days through a hearing where they may present additional documentation, culminating in a final decision by the commission.
While this bill seems effective on the surface, it could have negative repercussions as it places the onus of accountability on the law-abiding citizen to provide proof instead of holding the legislature responsible for demagnetizing the state to illegals who can obtain public services, funds, or even professional licenses.
Reports show that Tennessee has seen an approximately 50% increase in migrant populations, making it one of the states with the highest influx of illegal immigrants in the nation.
Illegal aliens have added a significant burden to the public school system, are encouraged by some municipalities to partake of taxpayer-funded community services, and have significantly contributed to skyrocketing crime rates, including those committed by violent gangs like Tren de Aragua.
The language seems to imply HB0202 would apply to new registrations after July of 2025, though that is not specified and, because of the documentation requirements, could also limit the ability for the citizenry to conduct events like voter registration drives.
There is also no mention in the text regarding how or for what length of time a voter’s proof of citizenship remains stored in the election commission database, though it does reiterate that the documents are “confidential and not available for inspection by the public”.
As Tennessee ranks in the top 20 states with the highest levels of identity theft and fraud, the collection of personal identification documents with no specific security provisions could be concerning.
Overall, Rep. Keisling has a mixed track record, sometimes presenting good bills, like one that would have closed primary elections, but has also received critique for diminishing transparency and accountability by allowing committee voice votes which hide individual representatives’ stances on legislation and has led to the death of many conservative-endorsed bills.
He holds an 82% lifetime score and a “C” for leadership grade according to the Tennessee Legislative Report Card and is also for this session sponsoring a bill that would add a 5% tax on the sales of lottery tickets.
Given Keisling’s seemingly middle-of-the-road approach, it is unclear if this bill is an actual solution to securing Tennessee elections or is just another half-hearted attempt by the General Assembly to claim they have addressed illegal immigration in the state without any repercussions or assertive solutions.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
