Citizen-only voting amendment passes with strong support among NC voters

North Carolina voters overwhelmingly backed a new change to the state constitution on the ballot this year that would reaffirm North Carolina's existing rules that ban non-citizens from voting.

The constitutional amendment was the most popular item on the ballot this year, at least among statewide elections. It passed with about 78% of voters supporting it, according to unofficial election results.

Supporters of the amendment have, for the most part, acknowledged it won't change anything in practice. Many say it’s simply needed to show continued support for the idea that only citizens should vote in elections. Others say they believe the new language is a more legally solid way of wording the rules, in case it gets challenged in a future court case. They’ve cited examples of a handful of cities in other states that let non-citizens vote in local races such as city council or school board.

Some opponents of the amendment said it risked spreading misinformation by tricking voters into thinking non-citizens can vote in North Carolina. Other opponents say that the way it’s worded could potentially lead to the future disenfranchisement of people who became U.S. citizens by being born here to parents who are citizens of other countries. That right of birthright citizenship is guaranteed in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but some Republican politicians including Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have said they want to get rid of it.

The North Carolina constitution currently says: “Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age, and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, shall be entitled to vote” in the state’s elections.

The new amendment will change that language to instead say: “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State.”

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