Focus on Noncitizen Voting in Upcoming U.S. Elections

Republicans across the country are ramping up efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting in the upcoming fall election, sparking a heated debate over voter eligibility. With concerns over potential noncitizen voting on the rise, Republican officials are taking action to ensure that only U.S. citizens have the right to cast their ballots.

In Congress, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a measure that would require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering people to vote. This proposal has stirred controversy, with Democrats arguing that it could create unnecessary hurdles for legal voters and inflate the perceived problem of noncitizen voting.

Despite existing laws that prohibit noncitizens from voting in federal elections, some states have reported instances of potential noncitizen voting. Texas Governor Greg Abbott revealed that over 6,500 potential noncitizens have been removed from the state’s voter rolls since 2021, while Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose referred 138 apparent noncitizens for potential prosecution for voting in a recent election.

In response to these concerns, Republican-led legislatures in eight states have proposed constitutional amendments for their November ballots, declaring that only citizens can vote. Additionally, state officials are implementing measures such as requiring polling places to post warnings in multiple languages and sending letters to registered voters asking for proof of citizenship.

The debate over noncitizen voting has also made its way to the courts, with Arizona providing a case study on the issue. The state’s attempt to require documentary proof of citizenship for federal elections was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, leading to a complex system where some voters are registered only for state and local elections.

As the fall election approaches, the battle over noncitizen voting continues to intensify, with Republicans pushing for stricter measures to ensure the integrity of the voting process. Democrats and election experts, however, argue that the current laws against noncitizen voting are sufficient and that the focus on this issue may be exaggerated.