Trump and Johnson push to stop noncitizen voting, despite it already being illegal: NPR

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., joined forces on Friday to promote legislation aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in federal elections, a practice that is already illegal in the United States.

During a news conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., Johnson outlined a bill that House Republicans plan to introduce soon. The proposed legislation would impose new citizenship documentation requirements for voter registration, a move that experts warn could disenfranchise eligible voters such as naturalized citizens and young voters.

Johnson emphasized the urgency of addressing potential voter fraud, citing the increasing threat posed by illegal immigrants crossing the southern U.S. border. However, studies have shown that instances of noncitizens voting in federal elections are extremely rare.

The issue of noncitizens voting has a long history in American politics, with individual states and Congress enacting laws to prohibit the practice. Despite the lack of evidence supporting widespread noncitizen voting, conservative voices like Trump and Johnson continue to push the narrative, linking it to immigration concerns.

While some states have implemented measures to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls, experts caution that the perceived problem may not align with reality. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state found minimal instances of suspected noncitizens registering to vote, with none actually casting ballots.

Overall, the debate over noncitizen voting reflects broader concerns about election integrity and immigration policy, with lawmakers using legislation to address perceived issues, even if the evidence suggests otherwise.