Noncitizen Voting Laws Spark Debate Across States
By Shirleen Guerra (The Center Square)
Discussions surrounding noncitizen voting are gaining momentum as several states introduce legislative initiatives ahead of the upcoming November elections.
In 1996, Congress passed a law that prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and presidential elections. While this federal legislation clearly states that noncitizens cannot participate in federal elections, it leaves the decision on noncitizen voting in state and local elections up to individual states.
Each state has its own laws regarding noncitizen voting, with some aligning with the federal mandate and others deviating from it. This has led to a patchwork of regulations across the country.
Currently, there are eight ballot measures on the table this fall that either restrict or allow noncitizens to vote in state or local elections. Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels have been actively engaged in addressing this issue.
One such federal initiative is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), championed by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support, requires voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.
While some states explicitly prohibit noncitizen voting in their constitutions, others have more permissive policies. For example, jurisdictions in California, Maryland, and Vermont allow noncitizens to participate in certain elections.
Recent developments in states like Idaho, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, South Carolina, and North Carolina have brought the issue of noncitizen voting to the forefront. While some municipalities, such as Frederick, Maryland, are expanding voting rights to noncitizens, others, like Iowa, are cracking down on illegal voting activities.
The disparities in state laws regarding noncitizen voting have raised concerns about voter fraud and the integrity of elections. Efforts to address these challenges have been met with mixed reactions from various stakeholders.
In a recent hearing held by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, experts and advocates debated the issue of noncitizen voting in the context of the current political landscape. While some argue for stricter measures to prevent voter fraud, others contend that such efforts amount to voter suppression.
As the debate rages on, states like Oklahoma and Texas have taken steps to ensure voter integrity by purging ineligible voters from registration lists and requesting citizenship data to verify voter eligibility.
The issue of noncitizen voting remains a contentious topic, with implications for the upcoming elections and beyond.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
