Halt Noncitizen Voting: Democrats Battle Against New Proposal

By Jason Snead

In a bid to bolster the integrity of American elections, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This legislation aims to ensure that only citizens are able to vote by requiring proof of citizenship.

Despite its seemingly straightforward objective, the SAVE Act faces significant opposition in the Senate, primarily from Democratic lawmakers. They argue that citizenship verification could disenfranchise qualified voters, and hence, the bill’s progress has stalled.

Meanwhile, several states are proactively addressing the issue at a local level. Missouri, North Carolina, Idaho, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kentucky have introduced constitutional amendments that would let voters decide whether proof of citizenship should be required.

Voters in Ohio and Louisiana have already approved noncitizen voting bans this year. This development brings the total number of states with such bans to seven, indicating a growing trend toward stricter voting regulations.

Polling data from the Honest Elections Project reveals broad public support for these measures, with only 9% of respondents believing that noncitizens should be allowed to vote. Despite this, some legal experts, like Marc Elias, have successfully challenged such measures in federal courts, restricting states’ abilities to verify citizenship during voter registration.

The issue of noncitizen voting is complicated. In some cases, registrations occur due to innocent misunderstandings or misinformation. However, there are deliberate instances as well, facilitated by inadequate legal frameworks. Democrats continue to push for policies that allow noncitizens to participate in local elections, as seen in Washington, D.C.’s recent policy change and the New York City Council’s attempted resolution.

Representative Jamie Raskin, a senior Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, has long supported noncitizen voting. This position highlights a broader ideological shift among progressives, who are also advocating for lowering the voting age and enfranchising felons.

While federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in national elections, enforcement remains a challenge. Democrats’ opposition to the SAVE Act and similar legislation suggests a disconnect with the general electorate’s preferences on this issue.

The overarching question remains: why are some liberal politicians in Washington so focused on prioritizing the interests of noncitizens over protecting the voting rights of American citizens? More states must join the effort to secure the integrity of American elections.

Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Jason Snead is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation and the Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action.