Another week sees a constellation of Republicans trying to stir up controversy in an effort to get out the vote.
North Carolina Republicans passed a ballot initiative that would change the language in the state constitution to make it clear that “only citizens of the United States” who meet all the requirements can vote.
The problem? It's already the law.
Republicans aren't the only ones pushing voting bills on this issue: Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin are also looking to make foreign voting an issue in the November elections. A bill on the same topic passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.
They all have one thing in common: They're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, as part of a Republican scare tactic.
The SAVE Act passes the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives passed the Protecting American Voter Eligibility Act on Wednesday, a bill that is in line with the anti-immigration stance outlined in Project 2025 and the new Republican Party platform.
This aligns directly with former President Donald Trump's campaign messaging.
“Republicans need to pass the SAVE Act or go home and cry yourself to sleep,” Trump posted on social media this week.
In addition to stigmatizing certain groups, the bill would create headaches for voters across the country by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote.
A MAGA governor?North Carolina is on the brink of having a MAGA Governor, why are we allowing this to happen?
The bill passed with 221 votes in favor and 198 against, but must now head to the Senate before it can be sent to the White House. The Biden administration has said it will oppose the measure.
Unfortunately, that won't stop what's happening in North Carolina and other states.
Foreigners voting is not a big deal
It's a fairly well-known fact that foreigners can't vote in elections. If you're not a U.S. citizen, you can't even register to vote. It even says so on your voter registration form.
The North Carolina Constitution already provides that “all persons born and naturalized in the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older and who are qualified as provided in this article, shall have the right to vote in all elections held by the people of the State, except as otherwise provided in this article.”
In reality, it is very rare for foreigners to vote.
Trump's crazy rallies:Can't wait for media coverage of Trump's chaotic Tuesday night rally
One piece of data Republicans regularly claim – that more than 6% of votes are cast by foreigners – is flawed, researchers say.
North Carolina audited its 2016 election results and found that out of 4.8 million votes cast, there were only 41 cases of illegal voting by legal immigrants (presumably people waiting to naturalize), presumably because people believe voting isn't worth the risk of deportation or prison.
So why rewrite the law? Because it's a way to increase voter turnout and continue to disenfranchise political opponents.
North Carolina has bigger problems
A new version of the North Carolina Constitution on the November ballot would change “all persons born in the United States” to “only citizens of the United States” — people born here or naturalized citizens.
This is the same state whose constitution still includes language that allows only the union of “one man and one woman.” It's the same state that mandates abstinence be taught in sex ed. It might be worth the state to fix these points before tweaking language that clearly serves its intended purpose. But perhaps it's easier to get votes by scaring your supporters.
If Republicans are truly worried about the language, they should talk to gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, who recently said, “Some people need to be killed,” and state superintendent candidate Michelle Morrow, who participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally prior to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and has called public schools “indoctrination centers.”
State Republicans are clearly struggling to give voters a reason to go to the polls, as they already hold supermajorities in both houses of Congress and a majority on the state Supreme Court.
Trump won North Carolina in 2016 and 2020, and if various polls are to be believed, is on track to win again in November. Republican performance aside, the state has one of the strongest economies in the country. Not that they can use that to mobilize their supporters.
Instead, they seek to demonize and stoke fear among marginalized groups.
Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Sara Pequeno on X. Formerly on Twitter, @sara__pequeno and on Facebook at facebook.com/PequenoWrites
