I appreciate the concerns raised in the recent letter about petitions seeking proof of citizenship to register to vote. Protecting voting rights is absolutely essential, but it is equally important to ensure that elections are fair, secure, and limited to citizens, as our Constitution requires.

The letter on Sept. 30 suggests that non-citizen voting is “vanishingly rare.” Even if that is the case, rarity does not mean insignificance. One unlawful vote cancels out the lawful vote of a citizen. Election safeguards are not meant to respond only after widespread problems occur, they are meant to prevent problems and preserve public trust in the system.

Requiring proof of citizenship is not an extreme burden. Most Americans already have the necessary documents: a driver’s license, certified birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. These same documents are needed for many other ordinary activities, such as applying for Social Security, obtaining employment, or traveling abroad. It is reasonable to expect similar standards for registering to vote, given the importance of elections.

The claim that these measures would “disenfranchise tens of thousands” is speculative. Other states with voter ID and verification laws have not experienced mass voter suppression. On the contrary, they have seen stronger confidence in their elections. Concerns about name changes, such as women marrying, are routinely addressed by government agencies in other contexts, and there is no reason they cannot be resolved in voter registration as well.

Voting rights and election security are not in conflict. We can and should guarantee that every eligible voter has access to the ballot. At the same time, we must uphold the principle that voting is the exclusive right of citizens. Asking for reasonable proof of citizenship at registration is not about discouraging participation; it is about ensuring that every lawful vote is protected.