Voters in five states approved ballot measures Tuesday reinforcing that only U.S. citizens can vote in state and local elections, giving Republicans a victory in their push for stricter election requirements.
The measures passed in Kansas, Arkansas, South Dakota, West Virginia and Alaska. Arizona voters rejected a similar proposal that would have added citizenship requirements along with expanded voter ID rules and other election changes.
In Kansas, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing that only U.S. citizens can qualify to vote. Supporters say the changes help protect election integrity and prevent local governments from allowing noncitizens to participate in municipal elections.
Republican-backed groups argued the measures were needed to prevent cities from adopting policies similar to those in California, Maryland and Vermont, where noncitizens are permitted to vote in certain local elections.
Opponents, however, questioned the need for the measures, noting that federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections and that noncitizen voting is rare. Some voting-rights advocates also worry the changes could eventually lead to additional documentation requirements for eligible voters.
The results continue a broader national push to put citizenship voting requirements into state laws and constitutions. Similar measures have passed in numerous states in recent years.
