The Truth About Non-Citizen Voting

• As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, the debate over illegal voting by migrants has once again taken center stage.

• Amid political rhetoric and legislative actions, the issue has ignited a series of controversies.

• There are claims that it could impact election integrity.

What’s the Issue

• At the heart of the debate is a series of claims from prominent Republican figures suggesting that illegal voting by migrants is a widespread problem.

• These claims have met with legislative actions across states that aim at addressing perceived threats to election integrity.

• However, Dems argue that non-citizen voting is rare, especially in the case of Federal elections.

Evidence and Impact

Claims of widespread illegal voting by migrants have been a recurring theme in U.S. elections. However, studies consistently show that documented cases are rare:

• The Brennan Center for Justice analyzed 23.5 million votes from the 2016 election. It found about 30 cases of suspected non-citizen voting.

• The Heritage Foundation found 24 cases of non-citizen voting from 2003 to 2023.

• A 2022 audit in Georgia found 1,634 non-citizens tried to register over 25 years. None succeeded.

These stats show non-citizen voting is rare and has little impact on elections.

Legislative Actions

Despite limited evidence, concerns about non-citizen voting have led to legislative actions:

• Since 2020, 11 states have enacted laws targeting non-citizen voting.

• At least 17 states have passed laws that make it harder to vote. These laws affect voter registration, mail-in voting, and voter ID requirements.

• In July this year, the U.S. House passed the Republicans-introduced the SAVE Act. This law would require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

These laws reflect worries about election integrity. Critics, including the Biden Administration, say they may disenfranchise eligible voters.

Political Claims

The issue of non-citizen voting has become a focal point in political discourse. There are sharp party divisions on this issue:

Republican Stance: 

• Some Republican leaders, including Trump, claim that millions of undocumented immigrants vote illegally.

• They see it as a major threat to election integrity. They argue for stricter voting laws to prevent potential fraud.

Democratic Response:

• Democrats generally argue that such claims are unfounded and lack substantial evidence. They cite studies showing non-citizen voting is rare.

• They worry that strict measures could suppress valid votes, especially in minority communities.

Public Opinion

The debate on non-citizen voting affects public views and voter behavior:

• A 2022 poll found that 39% of California voters saw illegal voting as a major issue, which shows that some voters are very concerned about it.

• The issue has increased polarization. Voters' views now align closely with their parties.

• Concerns about election integrity can hurt voter turnout.

These trends suggest that views on non-citizen voting, despite the evidence, have the potential to impact elections.

Legal Challenges and Investigations

Efforts to combat alleged non-citizen voting have faced legal scrutiny, with mixed outcomes:

• A 2019 Texas investigation initially questioned the citizenship of nearly 100,000 registered voters, classifying them as “possible non-U.S. citizens“.

• Texas ended this investigation after a legal battle with voting rights groups, who argued that it would infringe on voters' rights.

• In 2022, a state judge ruled that New York City's law allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections was unconstitutional.

These cases highlight the legal complexities surrounding efforts to address non-citizen voting.

Preventive Measures and Solutions

In response to fears of illegal voting by migrants, various measures have been proposed and implemented at both the federal and state levels:

• The SAVE Act, led by House Republicans, aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

• Existing Federal law punishes non-citizens who vote illegally. Penalties include fines, prison, and possible deportation.

• Some Republican-led states have amended their state constitutions. want to amend their constitutions. The amendments would state that only U.S. citizens can vote in elections.

These measures seek to balance election security with voter access. Their effectiveness and side effects remain debated.

Long-term Implications

The debate over non-citizen voting could affect U.S. elections and immigration policy for years:

• Increased polarization around election integrity issues.

• Potential changes to voting laws and citizenship verification processes.

• Heightened scrutiny of immigrant populations in the context of electoral participation.

These implications underscore the far-reaching consequences of the current debate.

Our Thoughts

• Illegal voting by migrants is a contentious issue. There are significant gaps between political claims and the evidence.

• The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election will be a pivotal moment in American history, and the integrity of the process must be preserved regardless of the political claims from both sides.

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