North Carolina voters face a constitutional amendment that could redefine voter eligibility, despite existing laws already restricting voting to U.S. citizens.
At a Glance
- North Carolina’s ballot includes an amendment to specify only citizens can vote
- The State Board of Elections removed over 747,000 registrants from voter rolls
- Critics argue the amendment is unnecessary and potentially confusing
- Supporters claim it prevents future reinterpretations of voting rights
- Early voting data shows strong Republican participation
Constitutional Amendment Proposal
North Carolina residents will soon decide on a constitutional amendment that aims to clarify voting requirements in the state. House Bill 1074, known as the “Citizen Only Voting” amendment, proposes to change the definition of eligible voters in the state constitution to “only U.S. citizens” who meet age and eligibility requirements.
The proposed amendment has sparked debate across the state. Supporters argue it’s necessary to prevent potential future reinterpretations that could allow non-citizen voting in state and local elections. Critics, however, contend that the measure is redundant and potentially harmful.
Current Voting Laws and Proposed Changes
Under current North Carolina law, voting rights are already restricted to U.S. citizens. The existing state constitution outlines that every person born in the United States and every naturalized citizen, 18 years of age and possessing the required qualifications, is entitled to vote in state elections.
“North Carolina law currently reads that “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.”” – Fox News
The proposed amendment would adjust this wording to explicitly state that “only a citizen of the United States” meeting age and eligibility requirements can vote in North Carolina elections. This change, while seemingly minor, has ignited a heated debate about its necessity and potential implications.
Voter Roll Maintenance
Concurrent with the amendment debate, North Carolina’s State Board of Elections has been conducting routine voter roll maintenance. This process, required by federal law, has resulted in the removal of over 747,000 registrants from the state’s voter rolls since 2023.
“On Thursday, the state’s election board announced that more than 747,000 registrants were removed from voter rolls over the last year, including nine flagged as foreign nationals, through routine voter roll maintenance that is required by federal law,” the outlet said.” – Breitbart News
This maintenance process identified and removed nine individuals flagged as foreign nationals, highlighting the existing safeguards in place to prevent non-citizen voting. Supporters of the amendment point to these removals as justification for the proposed constitutional change, while opponents argue it demonstrates the effectiveness of current laws.
Debate and Concerns
The proposed amendment has drawn both support and criticism from various quarters. Proponents, including State Sen. Brad Overcash, argue that the measure is necessary to prevent potential future attempts to allow non-citizen voting in state and local elections, citing concerns about such practices in other states and cities.
Critics, however, argue that the amendment is unnecessary and potentially harmful. They contend that existing laws and constitutional provisions already clearly restrict voting to U.S. citizens, and that the proposed change could create confusion among voters, particularly naturalized citizens.
“State Rep. Pricey Harrison called the proposal a “political ploy” intended to get more Republicans out to vote, and warned it could suppress voting by new U.S. citizens who are unsure about their rights.” – State Rep. Pricey Harrison
As North Carolina voters prepare to cast their ballots on this constitutional amendment, the debate continues over its necessity, potential impacts, and underlying motivations. The outcome of this vote could have significant implications for the state’s electoral processes and voter engagement in future elections.
Sources:
- Vote No on NC’s Citizens-Only Ballot Measure
- North Carolinians to Decide on Amendment Clarifying That ‘Only a Citizen’ May Vote
- North Carolina voters weigh amendment to explicitly bar noncitizens from voting