HJR 161 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly ban non-citizens from voting in Texas elections. While Texas law already restricts voting to U.S. citizens, this amendment unnecessarily duplicates existing legal protections and opens the door for future government overreach under the guise of election integrity.

The Constitution Is Not for Symbolic Gestures
The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPTexas) believes that constitutional amendments should protect individual rights and limit government—not serve as political messaging (Platform § I.5.d, § I.6.b). HJR 161 adds no new protections, but it does expand the list of constitutional voter restrictions, potentially leading to misuse or misinterpretation that could target legal residents or suppress legitimate votes through confusion or administrative overreach.

We Support Secure Elections—Without Expanding State Power
LPTexas supports transparent and secure elections. However, we oppose creating new constitutional language that merely restates what is already law (Texas Election Code § 11.002) while risking greater state intrusion into personal documentation and verification processes. The right to vote is sacred and should not be subjected to vague expansions of state enforcement authority.

Preserving the Principle of Limited Government
Rather than protect liberty, HJR 161 sets a precedent for expanding the state constitution to mirror temporary political trends. LPTexas rejects this approach. Laws exist to enforce eligibility. Constitutional amendments should be reserved for substantive change, not redundancy.

Conclusion
The Libertarian Party of Texas opposes HJR 161. This proposal does not enhance election integrity—it adds symbolic language to the Texas Constitution that could empower unnecessary regulation and discrimination. We urge lawmakers and voters to reject this amendment and preserve the Constitution as a shield for liberty, not a tool for political posturing.