State Amendments Passed: Noncitizen Voting Controversies and Potential Impacts

Voters in multiple states approved constitutional amendments to ban noncitizen voting, with Idaho, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Missouri leading the charge.

At a Glance

Eight states proposed amendments to prevent noncitizen voting in recent elections.
Idaho, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Missouri voters approved such amendments.
Proponents argue these measures strengthen electoral integrity.
Critics worry about potential voter disenfranchisement and electoral complications.
No state currently allows noncitizens to vote in statewide elections.

Idaho Leads with Strong Support

Idaho voters decisively approved a constitutional amendment to ban noncitizens from voting in state elections. The Associated Press declared the amendment’s passage early Wednesday morning, with unofficial results showing 64.8% of voters in favor and 35.2% opposed. This amendment aligns Idaho with a growing trend across several states to tighten voting eligibility criteria.

While the Idaho Constitution already required U.S. citizenship for voters, it did not explicitly exclude noncitizens. State Representative Kevin Andrus, who proposed the amendment, aimed to clarify this point definitively.

Wisconsin Follows Suit

Wisconsin voters also approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting non-citizens from voting in local elections. This measure reinforces existing state law, which already bans non-citizens from participating in state and federal elections. The amendment garnered support from conservatives and prominent politicians, including U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil.

“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.” – Brian Schimming, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin

However, critics argue that the amendment could lead to further voting restrictions and fuel conspiracy theories. They also express concern about potential long-term implications for voter rights interpretation.

Kentucky and Missouri Join the Movement

Kentucky voters approved Amendment 1, which also aims to prevent noncitizen voting. Missouri followed suit, with voters endorsing Amendment 7 shortly after midnight. These decisions reflect a broader national trend, with eight states in total considering similar constitutional amendments during this election cycle.

It’s important to note that no state currently allows noncitizens to vote in statewide elections. However, some municipalities in three states and Washington, D.C., do permit noncitizen voting in local elections, which has sparked this wave of preventative measures.

The Broader Context

These constitutional amendments come amid growing concerns about election integrity and the potential influence of noncitizens in the electoral process. As of 2022, an estimated 21.7 million noncitizens lived in the United States. Additionally, eighteen states and the District of Columbia issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, which has raised questions about voter identification processes.

In response to these concerns, the Republican-controlled House passed the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration at the federal level. This legislative action, combined with the state-level constitutional amendments, demonstrates a concerted effort to tighten voting eligibility requirements across the country.

As the debate over noncitizen voting continues, it’s clear that many American voters are expressing a preference for stricter controls on electoral participation. The long-term impacts of these constitutional changes remain to be seen, but they undoubtedly represent a significant shift in the landscape of voting rights and election administration in the United States.