Conservatives Push for Legislation Against Noncitizen Voting
FIRST ON FOX: In response to ongoing concerns regarding the potential for noncitizen voting in federal elections, conservative leaders across the United States are calling on Congress to take legislative action. A primary concern for these leaders is the perceived risk that noncitizens may vote, undermining the integrity of democratic processes.
State Freedom Caucuses Rally for Change
Twelve state chairs of their respective State Freedom Caucuses—part of the expansive State Freedom Caucus Network—have penned a letter to Congress urging the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. They emphasize the historical significance of illegal immigration as a pivotal electoral issue, which was notably central to Donald J. Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States.
“Illegal immigration was a top electoral issue for millions of voters, and their message was heard loud and clear. Now it’s time for Congress to listen,” the chairs assert in their letter to lawmakers, which was first reported by Fox News Digital.
Content of the SAVE Act
The SAVE Act, recently reintroduced in both the House and Senate by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), seeks to mandate that states obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity in person when individuals register to vote. Additionally, it calls for states to create programs designed to remove noncitizens from voter rolls and allows citizens to sue officials who fail to enforce these measures.
This initiative arises from ongoing Republican claims about the challenges of ensuring only citizens vote in federal elections. They argue that the proliferation of driver’s licenses and other benefits available to noncitizens can lead to unintentional voter registration.
The Rising Fear of Noncitizen Voting
The urgency of this call to action has been bolstered by the ongoing border crisis, which many say worsened in 2021 and only showed signs of relief last year. Additionally, multiple states have announced the purging of thousands of noncitizens from their voter rolls in response to these concerns. Critics of the movement argue that noncitizen voting is both extremely rare and already illegal. Nonetheless, the increasing migrant surge and push for expanded voter registration have heightened the Alarm among conservative leaders.
“We have a massive surge of illegal aliens in our population, in addition to the more than 20 million noncitizens already living in our country, with no oversight of where they are or what they are doing,” caution the state chairs. They express discontent with a “government-wide mandate to encourage voter registration without proper safeguards.”
The State Freedom Caucus Network and Its Role
The State Freedom Caucus Network, founded in 2021 with support from the House Freedom Caucus, has seen expansion into multiple states. This network is dedicated to establishing state-level caucuses and aligning state parties with conservative principles, mirroring the objectives of the House Freedom Caucus.
In statements to Fox News, the various chairs have underlined the importance of combating noncitizen voting in their respective states. For instance, South Carolina Freedom Caucus Chairman Jordan Pace remarked, “SC voters want to feel like the ballot box is secure.” He also noted that the South Carolina Freedom Caucus has frequently introduced legislation to block tax dollars from funding voter forms for noncitizens, close the primaries, and increase hand-counts of election audits. However, moderates within the House have allegedly thwarted these efforts at every opportunity.
State-Level Success and Continued Challenges
Arizona Freedom Caucus Chairman Jake Hoffman highlighted the success of a bill he introduced in 2022 that requires voter registration forms to be accompanied by proof of citizenship. “However, we need the SAVE Act’s fixes in federal law to eliminate illegal registration of noncitizens under the color of law using the federal form to register,” he stated.
The Legislative Landscape Ahead
The push for this legislation comes at a time when Congress is increasingly focused on issues connected to illegal immigration, particularly given that both chambers of Congress are now under GOP control, alongside the anticipated inauguration of President Trump. Earlier this month, the House passed the Laken Riley Act with bipartisan support, which mandates that illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes be detained.
Conclusion
As conservatives rally around the SAVE Act, much remains to be seen regarding its potential for enactment. What is clear, however, is the sustained push by these state leaders who believe that noncitizen voting poses a significant threat to electoral integrity. With both sides of the aisle now faced with pressing immigration issues, lawmakers will find themselves at a crossroads as they navigate this complex and contentious topic.
