Next month, North Carolinians will decide whether “only” U.S. citizens will be eligible to vote in future state elections.
House Bill 1074, called the “Citizens Only Vote” Amendment, would clarify in the state constitution that “only citizens” can vote in the Old North.
Currently, North Carolina law states: “Every person born in the United States and every naturalized person under the age of 18 who qualifies as provided in this article shall have the right to vote in any election by the people of this state.” . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the State. ”
The state already does not allow noncitizens to vote, but supporters say the amendment would establish confidence in elections amid the ongoing immigration crisis.
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Voters make their choices at a voting booth inside an early voting site in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on October 17, 2024. In several counties affected by Hurricane Helen, many residents voted on the first day of early voting in western North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits)
If passed, the amendment would adjust the language to read, “Only citizens of the United States who are 18 years of age or older and eligible to vote have the right to vote in elections in this state.”
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“Ensuring that only Americans in North Carolina can vote will give us confidence in our elections,” North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons said in a press release after the amendment officially appeared on the 2024 ballot. This is an important step that needs to be taken.”
Other supporters of the amendment say it's a matter of precaution.
Voters line up to vote on the first day of early voting at a polling place in Wilmington, North Carolina, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (Alison Joyce)
“Democrats in far-left cities and states are doing everything they can to allow noncitizens to vote. The best defense we can have against these attacks on our democracy is that North Carolina “It's about giving the people of the state the power to amend their constitution to state that “only American citizens will vote in elections,'' said state Sen. Brad Overcash (R-Gaston). He talked about the proposed amendments.
However, the amendment has received backlash from critics who say it is an “unnecessary anti-immigrant tactic that will further marginalize North Carolina's immigrant communities.”
Absentee ballots are being prepared to be mailed on September 17, 2024 at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Alison Joyce)
“As an immigrant to North Carolina who went through a rigorous naturalization process to become a citizen and participate in our democracy by voting, I fear that this proposed constitutional change could be a stepping stone to further disenfranchisement and disempowerment. We are concerned and our community is concerned,” said Jasmina Nogo, an attorney with the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project at the North Carolina Justice Center.
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More than 1 million people have already cast ballots in North Carolina since early voting began on October 17th.
