This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit voting by individuals who are not citizens of the United States in all elections. If ratified, the amendment would become part of the Constitution and would bar participation in federal, state, and local elections, as well as any ballot measures.
The measure also delegates enforcement authority to Congress, enabling federal legislation to address violations. The proposal is structured with a seven-year window for states to ratify the amendment after submission.
At a Glance
What It Does
Establishes a new Article with Section 1 that bars non-citizens from voting in any U.S. election or ballot measure; Section 2 gives Congress power to enforce via legislation.
Who It Affects
Directly affects election administrators, state and local election offices, and voters subject to citizenship verification rules across all jurisdictions.
Why It Matters
Creates a uniform nationwide standard for voter eligibility and consolidates enforcement authority at the federal level, with a defined ratification window that accelerates constitutional change.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill would add a new constitutional amendment. Section 1 says that only United States citizens may vote in any election held in the United States, including federal, state, and local offices and any ballot initiatives or referenda.
No non-citizen may cast a ballot, and the provision applies to all modes of voting within the United States. Section 2 empowers Congress to enforce the amendment through appropriate legislation, giving federal tools to ensure compliance.
The amendment would be submitted for ratification, and states would have seven years to ratify it. If three-fourths of the states ratify, the amendment becomes part of the Constitution.
This is a nationwide policy change that would rewrite who can participate in elections and who is empowered to enforce the rule. The text does not specify definitions beyond citizenship, leaving practical questions about verification and implementation to future legislation and administrative rules.
Implementing bodies would include federal, state, and local election offices, which would need to align their processes with the new standard.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill proposes a new constitutional article with Section 1 barring non-citizens from voting in all U.S. elections.
Section 2 grants Congress authority to enforce the amendment through appropriate legislation.
States have seven years to ratify the amendment after it is submitted for ratification.
The amendment covers federal, state, local elections and ballot initiatives within the United States.
Once ratified by three-fourths of the states, the amendment becomes part of the Constitution.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Voting prohibition for non-citizens
Section 1 would add a constitutional article prohibiting non-citizens from voting in any U.S. election, including federal, state, local offices, and any ballot measures. Citizenship is the sole eligibility criterion to vote under this provision. This creates a nationwide standard that overrides existing local practices and would require verification of citizenship before any ballot is cast.
Enforcement power
Section 2 grants Congress the power to enforce the article by appropriate legislation. This provision enables federal rules and penalties to support uniform implementation across states, reducing the likelihood of fragmented enforcement and providing a constitutional backbone for any future election-integrity measures.
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Explore Elections in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- United States citizens who vote and seek assurance that their ballots reflect citizen eligibility.
- State and local election officials who gain a clear, nationwide rule to apply in voter registration and ballot administration.
- Federal agencies responsible for enforcing election laws and upholding constitutional requirements.
- Organizations and coalitions focused on election integrity and standardization across jurisdictions.
- Voter-roll management organizations that rely on consistent eligibility criteria.
Who Bears the Cost
- Election offices at the state and local level must update processes, training, and potentially technology to verify citizenship consistently.
- State governments incur administrative and potential financial costs to implement and audit compliance with the new standard.
- Voter-registration systems and IT infrastructures may require updates to support citizenship checks and prevent non-citizen voting.
- Legal systems and courts may face increased enforcement activity and potential litigation related to eligibility disputes.
- Potential costs related to addressing inadvertent disenfranchisement or errors in citizenship status verification.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
Balancing a nationwide citizenship requirement with the diverse capacities and timelines of state and local election administrations, while avoiding inadvertent disenfranchisement and ensuring enforceability across all levels of government.
The proposal creates a sweeping nationwide eligibility standard that intersects with state election administration and the broader immigration policy landscape. While it seeks to harmonize who can vote, the practical implementation raises questions about how citizenship is verified across all jurisdictions, how errors would be corrected, and how disputes would be resolved.
The seven-year ratification window adds urgency and raises concerns about intergovernmental coordination, transitional rules for existing registrants, and potential challenges in states with varied election practices. Given the federalist structure of U.S. elections, the new amendment would eventually compel a broad retooling of state and local election procedures, voter rolls, and ballot access processes, with substantial administrative and legal considerations.
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