Congressman Abe Hamadeh Introduces PROVE Act to Ensure Election Integrity by Requiring Voters to Prove State Residency

Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) promised the voters in Congressional District 8 that he would take swift action to increase confidence in our nation’s elections. Since he was elected, he has been doing just that and this week, Congressman Hamadeh introduced legislation, the Proving Residency for Overseas Voter Eligibility (PROVE) Act.

Congressman Hamadeh is proud to announce that Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) and Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-05) are original cosponsors of this critical legislation.

The purpose of the PROVE Act is to amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to require non-military overseas citizens to prove their current residency in a state they in which they are attempting to vote.

If they are unable to prove a current resident status by either themselves, their spouse, parent, or legal guardian, U.S. citizens may still vote a federal ballot only in the District of Columbia.

Currently, under UOCAVA, states are forced to let U.S. citizens living overseas to vote in federal elections based on their last state residence. In many cases, those claiming resident status in a state have not been in that state, nor do they have any ties to it, undermining election integrity.

Even more shockingly, 39 states permit individuals who have never resided in the United States to cast ballots in our state elections. This policy applies in several crucial swing states who often decide presidential elections, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

“The loophole in UOCAVA allows citizens living overseas, with no current ties to a state, to arbitrarily choose where their vote counts. This threatens electoral integrity and is an affront to everyone who believes in fair and free elections,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “The PROVE Act will close this loophole and go far to restore trust in our elections.”

“In Arizona, we have seen what the mismanagement of voter rolls, failed election infrastructure, and corrupt courts can do to destroy voter confidence and faith in our system overall. Since taking office, I have introduced legislation to address some of the most egregious practices and close the most glaring loopholes in our election system,” stated Congressman Hamadeh.

“I call on my colleagues to join me and support the PROVE Act so that we can rebuild citizens’ trust in our elections through comprehensive and meaningful election integrity legislation,” said Congressman Hamadeh.