Swing state puts voting rights for non-citizens on the ballot to clarify

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As rampant immigration sparks concerns about the 2024 election, one state is doing everything it can to put fears to rest.

North Carolina is seeking to clarify their state constitution and establish confidence that all elections in their state will be secure and free from outsider influence. House Bill 1074, currently called the “Citizen Only Voting” amendment, will be on the ballot this Election Day.

At present, the state constitution says “Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age, and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people of the State, except as herein otherwise provided.” If the amendment is passed, the wording will be adjusted to say “only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State.”

North Carolina Republican Chairman Jason Simmons explained the purpose of the amendment in a press release.

“Ensuring that only U.S. Citizens in North Carolina can vote is a critical step that is needed in order to have confidence in our elections,” he said.

“Democrats in far-left cities and states are doing everything they possibly can to allow noncitizens to vote in elections. The best defense we can mount against these attacks on democracy is to empower the people of North Carolina to amend their own constitution to state that only U.S. citizens shall vote in our elections,” said Republican state Senator Brad Overcash.

Naturally, the amendment does have some critics. Those pushing back on the bill claim that it is “anti-immigrant” and “unnecessary” and that it will ultimately “further marginalize North Carolina’s immigrant communities.”

Jasmina Nogo, Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project staff attorney is one of those standing in opposition to the bill, “As an immigrant to North Carolina who went through the grueling process of naturalization so that I could become a citizen and participate in democracy by voting, I fear that this proposed change in the language of our constitution is a stepping stone to further disenfranchising and disempowering us and our communities.”