Major Shifts in Voting Regulations: Citizen Only Amendments Make Progress in U.S. States

Recent Progress on Citizen Only Voting Amendments

In a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding voting rights, both the South Dakota State Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives have successfully passed the Citizen Only Voting Amendment (COVA) this week. This legislative move is aimed at amending state constitutions to ensure that only individuals who are citizens of the United States have the right to vote in all government elections at the state and local levels. Importantly, this amendment does not affect federal elections, keeping the doorway open for non-citizen voting in that arena.

COVA's passage is not just a solitary event; it highlights a growing movement across the United States. According to Avi McCulluh, president of Americans for Citizen Voting, the organization advocating for these amendments, this action marks a thrilling step forward. "We are extremely excited about the swift progression in Kansas and South Dakota," McCulluh stated while expressing optimism for similar outcomes in other legislative chambers within these states.

The initiative comes in response to a trend in certain municipalities across states such as California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., where city councils have allowed non-citizens to participate in local elections. This has led to the perception that foreign citizen voting is a growing trend within the U.S.

Addressing Misconceptions About Foreign Voting

However, this notion is contested by proponents of the Citizen Only Voting Amendment. McCulluh argues against what he perceives as a common misconception—that non-citizens do not vote in the United States. He emphasizes that this misconception is not only inaccurate but is also frequently propagated by media outlets and opponents of COVA.

In fact, last year's electoral landscape saw COVA being passed in a notable eight states, with voters from Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin overwhelmingly supporting the initiative. This adds to the 14 states that have already embraced COVA, which includes Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. McCulluh noted, "Every poll we've conducted, whether on a national level or state-specific, demonstrates substantial support for Citizen Only Voting."

The Future of Citizen Only Voting

With momentum building, legislators from nearly a dozen states are now sponsoring amendments similar to COVA. Looking ahead, if public interest continues to drive this conversation, it is anticipated that COVA could appear on ballots as early as 2026. Furthermore, Americans for Citizen Voting is actively working on COVA efforts in states including Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, and West Virginia.

In conclusion, the movement for Citizen Only Voting Amendments signifies a vital chapter in American governance and electoral integrity. As states progressively redefine voting eligibility, discussions around citizenship and participation in democracy will likely intensify. While the arguments for and against COVA are multi-faceted, the changing landscape illustrates the ongoing negotiation of rights, responsibilities, and the fundamental essence of citizenship in the U.S. political system.

As this movement unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how these legislative changes reshape the electoral process and impact American society as a whole.