North Carolina Republican legislators have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to make it clear that only U.S. citizens can vote in the state. It would retool language on the books that already limits balloting to U.S.-born and naturalized citizens 18 and older.
FILE - North Carolina state Rep. Destin Hall, a top Republican redistricting official, speaks to reporters, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh, N.C. In a move that could boost fall turnout among conservatives, North Carolina Republican legislators advanced a proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday that attempts to make clear only U.S. citizens can vote.
It is already illegal in the U.S. for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. And North Carolina’s current state constitution notes that voting is limited to “every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age,” provided they meet other qualifications. The Republican-backed amendment would rework the line to read, “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age.
Some local jurisdictions — including San Francisco and the District of Columbia — have begun allowing immigrants who aren’t citizens to vote in local races for school board or city council. Hall mentioned the large number of recent illegal border crossings from Mexico while pitching the need for the language.
“I feel like we’re chasing a problem that doesn’t exist,” said Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Guilford County Democrat. “It just seems like we are creating a situation that might be chilling new citizens’ desire to vote.” While constitutional amendments aren’t subject to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto, proposals can’t be brought before voters unless 72 of the House’s 120 members and 30 of the Senate’s 50 members vote yes. Republicans have exactly those numbers of members in the respective chambers.
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