Three states pass constitutional amendments banning noncitizen voting, joining a growing trend across the nation.
At a Glance
- Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Missouri approved amendments to ban noncitizen voting
- Eight states in total considered similar constitutional amendments
- These measures join existing bans in Louisiana, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, and North Dakota
- Supporters argue the amendments protect election integrity, while critics warn of potential disenfranchisement
- The amendments reflect a broader push for stricter voter qualification nationwide
A Wave of Constitutional Amendments
In a significant political development, voters in Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Missouri have approved constitutional amendments banning noncitizens from voting in elections. These states were among eight that considered such measures, reflecting a growing trend across the nation to explicitly restrict voting rights to U.S. citizens only.
The amendments passed with substantial support, mirroring the success of similar measures in other states. Louisiana, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, and North Dakota had previously approved comparable amendments by large margins, indicating widespread public backing for this type of electoral restriction.
In Missouri, voters approved a constitutional amendment to ban ranked-choice voting (RCV) and prohibit the state or local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote. As of 11:09 PM, the vote was 67.3% to 32.7%.
— Ballotpedia (@ballotpedia) November 6, 2024
The Push for Citizen-Only Elections
Proponents of these amendments argue that they are necessary to protect the integrity of elections and ensure that only U.S. citizens have a say in the country’s governance. The measures come at a time when concerns about election security and voter fraud have been at the forefront of political discourse.
“Voters have delivered an unmistakable message: Wisconsin elections will be decided by U.S. citizens, not far-left activists who would turn the ballot box into a petri dish for extremist policies.” – state Republican Party Chair Brian Schimming
The amendments come against a backdrop of significant demographic shifts. As of 2022, an estimated 21.7 million noncitizens were living in the United States. Additionally, eighteen states and the District of Columbia now issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, further complicating the issue of voter identification and eligibility.
Implications and Challenges
While no state constitutions explicitly allow foreign nationals to vote, some local jurisdictions in California, Illinois, Maryland, and Vermont have permitted non-U.S. citizens to participate in local elections. These new amendments aim to prevent such practices from expanding and to clarify the legal landscape surrounding voting rights.
Election integrity advocates argue that maintaining separate voter lists for citizens and noncitizens is challenging, potentially opening the door to voter fraud. In response to these concerns, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration at the federal level.
Critics of these amendments, however, warn that they could create unnecessary barriers for legal voters and exaggerate the issue of noncitizen voting, which data suggests is rare. They argue that existing laws already prohibit noncitizen voting in most elections and that these additional measures may lead to unintended consequences.
Political Implications
The passage of these amendments has coincided with other political developments. In Wisconsin, for example, Republicans maintained control of the state legislature despite new district boundaries that were expected to favor Democrats. This outcome demonstrates the complex interplay between electoral rules and political power dynamics.
As more states consider similar amendments, the debate over voting rights and election integrity is likely to remain at the forefront of national political discourse. The success of these measures in Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Missouri may encourage other states to pursue comparable constitutional changes, potentially reshaping the landscape of American elections for years to come.
Sources:
- States OK Constitutional Amendments Banning Noncitizen Voting
- Republicans retain control of Wisconsin Legislature despite new maps
