Submitted by Beth Dowling, Rio Rancho
As U.S. citizens are becoming more aware and concerned about the dangers of unlawful, noncitizen ballots being cast in the upcoming election, Congress is reviewing and updating current federal law concerning citizen voting, and what can be done to change it “with the times” to make sure only lawful U.S. born or naturalized citizens are casting lawful ballots.
● A total of 13K+ noncitizens were identified and removed from voter rolls recently in Virginia and in Texas. In Texas, 30 percent of these 6,500 noncitizens had a documented voting history. A recent federal indictment in North Carolina charged 19 foreign nationals from 15 countries were charged with federal voting felonies – 12 of them had voted in 2016.
● To plug the massive loopholes in federal law that allow noncitizens to register to vote, Representative Chip Roy R-TX and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) have created the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) that would alter federal law to include a requirement for documentary proof of of citizenship. Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate refused to take up the bill. It has now been added to a critical continual resolution in the House. (Click HERE for an article by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) on its journey through the Hill and its placement in the CR.)
● Incredibly, many Democrats oppose this bill. Why? That is a question only they can answer as it makes no sense. Why would they be opposed to making sure only Americans vote in American elections? How do they explain to their citizens constituents that they are just fine with foreign nationals canceling out lawful their votes?
● Preventing noncitizen voting is not just politics; it’s personal. Americans are passionate about making sure their vote counts. This is one way to make sure it does.
● The SAVE Act has already passed the House as a bipartisan bill and is now attached to a critical House spending bill. The bill addresses deficiencies in current federal law by doing the following;
1) Require state election officials to ask about citizenship before providing voter registration forms;
2) Require an individual to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections;
3) Allow state officials to accept a wide variety of documents that will make it easy for CITIZENS to register to vote in federal elections;
4) Provide states with unfettered access to federal agency databases so they can remove noncitizens from voter rolls and confirm citizenship for individuals lacking proof of citizenship;
5) Direct DHS to determine whether to conduct removal proceedings if a noncitizen has been identified as having registered to vote in federal elections; and
6) Require DHS to notify a state chief election official whenever an individual has been naturalized to ensure our newest citizens are able to exercise their right to vote.
● Only U.S. Citizens should be allowed to vote in ANY election within the United States, and to ensure this, our federal laws must be fixed.
● With over 23 million potential noncitizen voters in America and no current requirements to provide proof of citizenship during voter registration, your support, action and voice is vital.
It’s already illegal for non-citizens to vote. There is no credible evidence of non-citizens affecting elections by voting. The SAVE act is political theater, a “solution” to a non-existent problem. Instead, perhaps try focusing on actual problems that exist in reality. I’m sure it would be a nice change for everyone. Pandering to the credulous helps no one.