Republican lawmakers in eight states are pushing for constitutional amendments to clarify that only American citizens can vote in elections, even though it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote. Election experts warn that these efforts are part of a larger narrative aimed at falsely claiming that noncitizens are voting in large numbers, fueling fears and misconceptions about the electoral process.
Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have made unsubstantiated claims about noncitizen voting, leading to these initiatives to change state constitutions. Republican officials have also taken steps to purge voter rolls and implement legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
The proposed amendments in the eight states aim to emphasize that only citizens can vote in local and state elections, even though no state constitution currently allows noncitizens to vote. Lawmakers control the process of amending constitutions in these states, with supporters arguing that the measures are meant to safeguard elections and build trust in the election process.
Voting rights experts criticize these measures as unnecessary, as noncitizen voting is virtually nonexistent. They warn that the amendments could create doubt about the legitimacy of the electoral system and aim to drive Republican turnout by focusing on this issue important to the GOP base.
While proponents of the amendments believe they will improve voter turnout, critics argue that they perpetuate a false impression about noncitizen voting and could potentially undermine the electoral system. The proposed amendments may also be part of a strategy to advance Republican interests in key battleground states like Wisconsin and North Carolina.
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