In eight states, voters have endorsed constitutional amendments aimed at preventing noncitizens from participating in elections, as reported by multiple sources.
Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin each passed amendments that explicitly prohibit noncitizen voting in both state and local elections, according to NBC News projections.
Currently, 19 locations across the United States, including Washington, D.C., permit noncitizens to vote in certain local elections, such as municipal or school board elections, The Washington Post reported.
The amendments in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin will alter language in these states’ constitutions to specify that “only” citizens can vote. Previously, the wording indicated that “every citizen” or “all citizens” could vote, NBC News noted.
In Idaho and Kentucky, the amendments will establish that “no person who is not a citizen of the United States” has the right to vote.
Former President Donald Trump, reelected to the presidency on Tuesday, along with his allies, have alleged that the migrant crisis under the Biden administration is partly intended to enable noncitizen voting.
In September, Newsmax’s John Gizzi commented that “citizens-only voting” measures could spark a nationwide push to restrict voting to U.S. citizens in all 50 states within the next two years, assuming these amendments pass.
Advocates from Americans For Citizen Voting, a group advocating for U.S. citizen-only voting, told Newsmax that polling data suggests citizens-only voting initiatives could achieve 70%-80% support if brought to voters in other states.
Last month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, engaged in a heated exchange with CBS News host Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” regarding voter integrity. Johnson stated, “There is going to be some cheating in this election. I think noncitizens are going to vote. Look, case in point.”
Brennan countered, reminding him, “You know that it is against the law for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. That’s established law.”
Johnson responded, “Of course it is, of course it is, but of course it is. But here’s the problem: There’s a number of states that are not requiring proof of citizenship when illegals [who] are noncitizens register to vote.”
