NC’s ‘citizens only’ voting amendment is part of the far-right’s attempt to sow division, cast doubt on our elections
When North Carolinians go to vote this fall they might be surprised and confused to find a state Constitutional amendment addressing “citizens only voting” on their ballot.
House Bill 1074 proposed to amend the North Carolina Constitution to change the qualifications to vote to only a “citizen” by removing language that reads “every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized…”. The bill was passed by the Republican-led state legislature and became law on June 28. It is now on our ballot and is up to voters to decide if the proposed amendment should take effect.
Our state Constitution currently 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.
The amendment, if passed, will change the language to say:
Only a citizen of the United States who is 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.
To some, the change may not seem to be a big deal because, after all, only citizens are allowed to vote. But, therein lies the issue with the amendment – it ignores both state and federal law that already requires U.S. citizenship to vote, and ignores safeguards already in place to ensure that only qualified citizens vote in our elections.
This amendment intentionally creates division across communities, casts doubt on the integrity of our elections, and foments anti-immigration hate and racism. The Republican-backed bill is the next step in the GOP’s attacks on voting, immigrants and democracy. It is a continuation of what Republicans did in 2020 when Donald Trump lost the election and instead of accepting the results they peddled lies about the election, filed frivolous lawsuits and incited violence that led to the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Worried that they’re going to lose again, Republicans are now spreading misinformation about non-citizens voting even though it’s abundantly clear that only eligible Americans vote. State-mandated photo IDs, verification checks and registration requirements are just a few of the ways to ensure that’s the case.
“I think that one of the reasons that it’s on the ballot is to try to motivate voters who are activated by, quite frankly, misinformation that suggests that noncitizens are voting in North Carolina elections when they’re not,” Wake Forest Law professor Margaret Taylor told WRAL. “Unfortunately, it just fuels confusion and misperception and animus about immigrants at a time when that is such a contentious issue.”
It’s up to North Carolina’s voters to turn out in record numbers, demand that every vote is counted and certified, and ensure the will of the people prevails. While Republicans are working to take our state and country backward, this election is an opportunity to show them that we the people won’t let that happen.
Early voting is open now through Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. Remember, to vote early you don’t need to go to your Election Day polling place – you can vote early at any location in your county. Voter registration ended on Oct. 11, but those who missed the deadline can take advantage of same-day voter registration at any of their county’s early voting locations during operating hours.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. DO NOT LEAVE if you are in line when polls close – you are legally entitled to vote. Check out the ACLU’s Voting Rights website if you have any issues or concerns while voting. You can also call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
Important Voting Resources:
- Check Your Voter Registration Status
- View the List of Acceptable Photo IDs
- Track an Absentee Ballot
- Find Your Nearest Early Voting Location
- Find Your Election Day Polling Place
- For Any Other Questions on Voting
