As the 2024 US elections approach, accusations are once again flying around about illegal voting practices. Donald Trump and his allies in the Republican Party have repeatedly raised concerns that Democrats are encouraging illegal immigrants to vote, sparking a heated debate over election integrity. But what’s the truth behind these claims?
Claims of Illegal Immigrant Voting in US Elections
During a recent debate, Trump reiterated these concerns, stating, “Our elections are bad, and a lot of these illegal immigrants coming in, they’re trying to get them to vote.” His comments have fueled widespread discussion on social media and in political advertisements, particularly among Republican groups. Since September, over 100 paid ads focusing on this issue have been shared on Facebook and Instagram by various Republican campaigns.
But how common is voter fraud involving illegal immigrants? And what safeguards are in place to prevent it?
The Laws Against Non-Citizen Voting
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 explicitly prohibits non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, from voting in federal elections. Penalties for violating this law are severe, including potential imprisonment, fines, and even deportation. Despite these strict laws, concerns persist about whether enough is being done to prevent illegal voting.
Voter Registration Safeguards
Each state in the US uses a common voter registration form requiring individuals to affirm their US citizenship under penalty of perjury. While this process doesn’t require documentary proof, experts like Jasleen Singh from the Brennan Center for Justice argue that it acts as a significant deterrent. According to Singh, “The risk of lying is too great for most illegal immigrants to attempt registering.”
Many states have additional safeguards, such as cross-referencing voter rolls with immigration databases, death certificates, and postal records. Poll workers also verify eligibility by checking voter lists on Election Day. If a non-citizen attempts to vote, they’re turned away or offered a provisional ballot, which only counts if they provide proof of citizenship.
How Often Does Illegal Voting Occur?
Despite claims to the contrary, studies consistently show that cases of illegal voting by non-citizens are incredibly rare. A study by the Brennan Center for Justice reviewed the 2016 election and found just 30 suspected cases of non-citizen voting out of 23.5 million votes across 12 states—amounting to a minuscule 0.0001% of all votes cast.
Similarly, a Heritage Foundation analysis of voter fraud cases between 1999 and 2023 identified only 77 instances of non-citizen voting. This is echoed by reports from the Cato Institute, which also concluded that non-citizen voting happens in such small numbers that it has no significant impact on election outcomes.
Republican Concerns and Push for Stricter Voting Laws
Republican lawmakers continue to push for tougher voter registration laws. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, for example, would require proof of citizenship during voter registration, but it has been rejected by the House of Representatives.
Despite the low documented numbers of voter fraud, Republican leaders like Mike Johnson argue that even a small number of cases warrant tighter controls. Some states, including Ohio and Georgia, have conducted audits of voter rolls, identifying cases where non-citizens attempted to register, though prosecutions remain rare.
A Political Issue?
Critics argue that the focus on illegal voting is part of a broader effort to undermine confidence in the election system. Voting rights expert Jasleen Singh notes, “The myth of widespread non-citizen voting is being used to sow doubt in election integrity and create room for challenging the election results.”
While the evidence shows that illegal immigrant voting is rare, the conversation continues to dominate headlines as both sides of the political aisle prepare for what could be one of the most contentious elections in US history.
Conclusion
The claims around illegal voting by non-citizens have sparked yet another political battle in the 2024 election cycle. While Republican leaders push for tighter restrictions, studies and expert analyses suggest that such instances are exceedingly rare and unlikely to affect election outcomes. As the election nears, this debate is certain to intensify, with the future of American democracy hanging in the balance.
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