During a recent pro forma session, Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, responded to questions regarding proposed legislation that would mandate proof of citizenship for voting. He firmly stated that there is no evidence supporting the notion that undocumented immigrants participate in U.S. elections, describing the push for such a bill as a "solution looking for a problem."

The context of Kelly's remarks came amid increasing Republican initiatives aimed at ensuring election integrity, particularly in light of findings from state audits revealing instances of noncitizens voting. For instance, an audit in Ohio uncovered 138 noncitizens who had voted, following the state's removal of hundreds of registered noncitizens. Reports from Texas noted over 6,500 registered noncitizens, with approximately 1,930 having a documented voting history.

As the 2024 elections approach, some conservative Republicans have deemed it essential to attach a proof of citizenship requirement, encapsulated in the SAFE Act, to an upcoming spending bill. Although the act passed the Republican-led House earlier this summer with a narrow margin, it has yet to receive a Senate vote, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer not scheduling it for consideration. Kelly criticized the initiative, suggesting that such measures would create unnecessary barriers for citizens already facing challenges in casting their votes.