Voters weigh citizenship amendments as Trump fans fears of noncitizen election fraud
Summary
Voters in six states will decide on Nov. 3 whether to add citizenship requirements for voting to state constitutions or state law. Federal and state laws already bar noncitizens from voting in federal and statewide elections, while voting-rights groups warn that proof-of-citizenship rules could block eligible citizens from registering.Key Facts
- Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia have citizenship amendments on the ballot.
- An Alaska ballot initiative would create a state law requiring citizenship to vote.
- President Donald Trump has backed a crackdown on noncitizen voting based on claims of widespread fraud that the article describes as unsubstantiated.
- Some cities in three states and the District of Columbia allow noncitizens to vote in certain local elections.
- A 2025 University of Maryland study estimated that 21.3 million eligible American voters cannot readily provide documents proving citizenship.
- The study cited misplaced or inaccessible records, replacement costs, name changes and errors in government records as reasons people may lack proof.
- The State Department reported that 48% of Americans had a valid passport as of 2023.
- Indiana resident Jemmie Lolita Pepper said errors in state records prevented her from getting government identification and voting until she received legal help.
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