Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit voting in Federal, State, or local elections by individuals who are not citizens of the United States.
Summary
This document is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the United States Constitution. The proposed amendment aims to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting in any Federal, State, or local elections within the United States. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 16, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would constitutionally bar non-citizens from voting in US elections. This would codify existing practices in many states, while potentially altering laws in jurisdictions that currently allow non-citizen voting in some local elections. The amendment also grants Congress the power to enforce this prohibition through legislation.
Potential Benefits
- Clarifies Voting Rights: Establishes a clear, uniform standard for voting eligibility across all levels of government.
- Reinforces Citizenship: Affirms the importance of citizenship in the electoral process.
- Potential for Increased Confidence: May increase public confidence in election integrity for some citizens.
- Aligns with Original Intent: Some argue it aligns with the original understanding of voting rights tied to citizenship.
Potential Disadvantages
- Disenfranchisement: Disenfranchises non-citizens who may currently have the right to vote in certain local elections.
- Potential for Legal Challenges: Could lead to legal challenges regarding the definition of 'citizen' and the scope of 'elections'.
- Symbolic Impact: May be perceived as unwelcoming to immigrants and could negatively impact civic engagement among non-citizen residents.
- Unnecessary Amendment: Some argue that existing laws and practices already sufficiently address this issue, making a constitutional amendment unnecessary.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed amendment aligns with the principle of popular sovereignty as exercised by citizens. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution addresses the composition of the House of Representatives and the qualifications of electors, leaving specific qualifications to the states. This amendment seeks to standardize one aspect of those qualifications (citizenship) across all states and levels of elections. The amendment process itself is explicitly outlined in Article V of the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).