(The Center Square) – The North Carolina Constitution now clearly prevents noncitizens from voting in any election in the state. This comes after voters decided in favor of a constitutional amendment codifying that into law.
The ballot initiative was called before 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. With 78% of precincts reporting, the measure was passing 77%-23%.
The North Carolina Citizenship Requirement Amendment was the only ballot measure to appear this election and the state was one of eight which considered a similar citizen voting requirement measure.
Political parties were divided on the necessity of states making such measures. Republicans said it would secure elections, while Democrats expressed concerns about the limiting of voting rights.
The proposed amendment will change the language in Section I, Article VI, of the North Carolina Constitution to “only” citizens of the United States are allowed to vote, instead of “every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized” is allowed to vote.
The state’s Legislature voted on June 28 to place the amendment on the General Election ballot, after recent concerns around the nation about noncitizens voting in elections. Citizens in North Carolina do not have the power to initiate statewide ballot measures.
Leading up to Election Day, Democrats said there are already federal regulations which prohibit noncitizens from voting.
Federal law states it is unlawful for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, but does not refer to elections on the state or local level and left states to decide for themselves. Because of this, Republicans argued the language in North Carolina needed to be clarified.
Since 1985, 24 ballot measures have been approved in North Carolina, while only five have been defeated.
