Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent pitch for new legislation to crack down on noncitizen voting is based on misleading claims and unnecessary measures. The proposal to require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote is redundant given that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in both state and federal elections.
Noncitizen voting is a rare occurrence, with very few individuals breaking the existing laws. The consequences for noncitizens who are caught voting illegally are severe, including jail time, fines, and deportation. The risk of committing this crime far outweighs any potential benefits, making it an unattractive option for noncitizens.
Requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote could potentially disenfranchise millions of Americans who do not have easy access to passports or birth certificates. This measure has been proven ineffective in the past, as many states have found little evidence of noncitizen voting despite attempting to implement similar requirements.
Former President Trump and House Speaker Johnson have a history of promoting baseless claims about election integrity. Trump’s own election integrity commission disbanded without releasing any evidence of voter fraud, despite his claims of millions of undocumented immigrants voting in 2016. Johnson has also promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, further undermining the credibility of their proposed legislation.
The proposed legislation targeting noncitizen voting not only risks disenfranchising eligible voters but also perpetuates negative stereotypes about immigrants. Justin Levitt, an election policy expert, highlights that instances of noncitizen voting are often due to misunderstandings or mistakes, rather than malicious intent. The proposed legislation could have a chilling effect on eligible voters, particularly those from immigrant communities.
The proposed legislation to crack down on noncitizen voting is unnecessary, potentially harmful, and based on misleading claims. Rather than addressing a widespread issue, it risks disenfranchising eligible voters and perpetuating negative stereotypes about immigrants. It is crucial for lawmakers to focus on evidence-based solutions to election integrity issues, rather than pushing divisive and ineffective measures.
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