You know, some days you wake up, look at the headlines, and just have to chuckle. Not always a happy chuckle, mind you, more of a “bless their hearts, they really don’t get it, do they?” kind of chuckle. It’s astonishing, really, how concepts that once formed the bedrock of our nation – things our grandparents understood as plain common sense – now seem to require a full-blown legislative session just to be restated.

It’s like having to pass a law saying water is wet, or that the sky, on most good days, is indeed blue. But here we are, in an age where the blindingly obvious needs to be etched in stone, lest someone, somewhere, try to argue that gravity is merely a suggestion. It’s a peculiar time, people, a peculiar time indeed, but thankfully, some places are still holding the line for sanity.

Well, hold onto your hats, because it seems a healthy dose of that ol’ common sense is brewing down in the Lone Star State. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a man who clearly hasn’t forgotten which way is up, recently made a move that should have been a national given, oh, about 200-plus years ago.

From ‘Fox News,’ quoting Governor Greg Abbott:

“I just signed off on a joint resolution to make it crystal clear under the Texas Constitution that if you are not a citizen of the United States of America, you are not allowed to vote in Texas.”

Crystal clear. Imagine that.

You’d Think This Was Obvious, Wouldn’t You?

This straightforward declaration comes in the form of Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 37, championed by State Senator Brian Birdwell. Its grand, earth-shattering purpose? To propose an amendment to the Texas Constitution explicitly stating that, shocker, only U.S. citizens can cast a ballot in Texas elections. Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t that already the case?” And you’d be right to think so. But in an era where even basic definitions are up for debate, Texas isn’t taking any chances. The resolution sailed through the State Senate and House, which is good news.

What’s less good, and frankly a bit baffling, is that this common-sense measure didn’t get unanimous support. According to Moore News, a handful of Democrats in the Senate voted no, and in the House, a larger contingent of Democrats either voted against it or chose to register as “present, not voting.” One has to wonder what part of “only citizens vote” is so controversial. Texans will get the final say when the amendment goes on the ballot in November 2025. Let’s hope they bring their common sense with them.

Beyond the Lone Star: A Nationwide Awakening

And thank goodness Texas isn’t alone in this fight for the plainly apparent. Fox News reports that around 25 states are mulling over similar proof-of-citizenship measures, and 15 state constitutions already explicitly bar non-citizen voting. It’s a heartening trend, a sign that states are waking up to the need to safeguard the sanctity of their elections. This is especially crucial given some of the shenanigans we’ve seen at the federal level.

Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that a federal judge – a Clinton appointee, if you can believe it – blocked a commonsense executive order from then-President Trump that would have required documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. The judge claimed the President didn’t have the authority. So, if the feds can’t or won’t act, or if activist judges tie things up, it falls to the states to defend the integrity of the ballot box. Texas is just leading the charge, as it so often does.

So, What’s Really at Stake Here?

It makes you wonder why anyone would fight against something so fundamental. Is it too much to ask that the act of choosing our leaders, an act that defines our Republic, be reserved for those who have pledged allegiance to this country and are actual citizens? For conservatives, this isn’t just about rules; it’s about the very meaning of citizenship, the value of our national sovereignty, and the basic fairness that underpins our entire system.

Voting is a right, yes, but it’s a right earned through citizenship, not a free-for-all giveaway. When we dilute the power of a citizen’s vote by even suggesting that non-citizens should have a say, we’re not just being careless; we’re actively undermining the foundations of our representative government. It’s a principle that should be as American as apple pie, yet here we are, needing constitutional amendments to spell it out.

Texas is drawing a line in the sand, reaffirming a principle that should be universally understood. It’s a reminder that the fight for the integrity of our Republic is fought in statehouses and at ballot boxes, by patriots who still believe in common sense and the enduring strength of American values.

Key Takeaways:

• Texas proposes a constitutional amendment: only U.S. citizens vote in state elections.
• Some Democrats surprisingly opposed this common-sense Texas voter integrity measure.
• States are increasingly leading the fight to secure election integrity and American sovereignty.

Sources: Fox News, Moore County News