Republican ‘Noncitizen’ Initiative May Penalize US Voters, Official Warns – Reuters

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON – A key election official from Arizona cautioned Congress on Wednesday that the Republican push against noncitizen voting in the upcoming Nov. 5 election addresses a "fake problem" and could inadvertently impose harsh consequences on U.S. citizens.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes informed the Republican-led House Administration Committee that a 2004 initiative requiring proof of citizenship has resulted in 47,000 eligible voters in Arizona being denied their right to vote.

"We have denied eligible citizens the right to vote in far greater numbers than the exceedingly rare instance of noncitizen voting that is alleged to be occurring across the nation," said Fontes, a Democrat who was among six state election officials who testified at the meeting.

During a heated discussion about public trust in elections, lawmakers and witnesses exchanged criticisms regarding a Biden administration initiative to register new voters through federal agencies, as well as the widespread misinformation about the integrity of the voting system that has led to persistent threats against election officials.

"People have come to my home and threatened my staff, along with many of the hundreds of clerks and local election officials in our state," stated Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, also a Democrat.

"Unfounded allegations and rhetoric without evidence make our elections less secure, as they undermine public confidence," she added.

The hearing occurred as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to push Democrats to accept a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections nationwide.

The proposed legislation is supported by former President Donald Trump, who falsely claims that his loss to President Joe Biden in 2020 resulted from widespread voter fraud and argues that the upcoming election could be influenced by voting among undocumented migrants.

Noncitizen voting in federal elections is a felony, and independent studies indicate that such occurrences are extremely rare.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, acknowledging the infrequency of noncitizen voting, mentioned that his office has removed nearly 600 noncitizens from a voter roll of about 8 million registrants.

"But we keep it rare by enforcing the law," said LaRose, a Republican. "This issue has only been exacerbated by the current administration’s failure to secure the border."

Fontes indicated that eligible voters affected by Arizona’s Proposition 200 have since gained access to ballots, despite what he characterized as "the paranoia surrounding a fake problem."

However, he expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on eligible citizens stemming from a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reinstated proof of citizenship requirements for state elections.

"These efforts will ultimately reduce the ability of some U.S. citizens to vote," Fontes cautioned.

Just before Johnson postponed a scheduled vote on the Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship, Chairman Bryan Steil emphasized the necessity of such legislation to prevent noncitizens from registering to vote alongside obtaining driver’s licenses.

"Noncitizens can receive driver’s licenses in every state, which means they also receive voter registration forms, even though they’re ineligible to vote in federal elections," Steil remarked. "As a result, we have seen states take measures to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls."

Democracy advocates and Democrats perceive the measure as an attempt by Republicans to undermine confidence in the upcoming November election.

"Our elections are secure," asserted Representative Joe Morelle, the leading Democrat on the panel. "Americans will not give in to the flood of misinformation and disinformation."

At one point during the hearing, all state election officials – three Democrats and three Republicans – affirmed their commitment to a "zero tolerance" policy towards noncitizen voting.