Louisiana’s Secretary of State Dispels Myths of Widespread Noncitizen Voting
In a political climate often marked by division, a recent announcement in Louisiana offers a glimmer of positive news regarding voting integrity. Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry revealed the findings of an investigation into allegations of widespread noncitizen voting.
Drawing from a historical backdrop rich with stories of political intrigue, Louisiana’s political landscape is no stranger to controversy. However, Landry’s presentation delivered a stark contrast to such narratives. Accompanied by officials, she disclosed that only 79 potential noncitizens had voted in the state over the past 40 years. This number pales in comparison to the more than 74 million votes cast during the same period, according to researchers Gabriella Sanchez and Kevin Morris from the Brennan Center.
Landry was transparent about the findings, acknowledging the possibility of data errors or outdated information leading to misidentifications. “I want to be clear: Noncitizens illegally registering or voting is not a systemic problem in Louisiana,” she stated. Her remarks aligned with broader national evidence that only citizens vote, and state systems are in place to ensure voter roll accuracy.
Despite the rarity of noncitizen voting, any intentional case is a violation. Louisiana has reached out to individuals for proof of citizenship, with potential legal consequences for those proven to have registered or voted unlawfully. The libertarian Cato Institute corroborates these findings, emphasizing that “Noncitizens Don’t Illegally Vote in Detectable Numbers.”
The investigation raises questions about the motivations behind recent legislative actions. Last year, Louisiana enacted a law requiring proof of citizenship to register and vote, a move currently contested by the League of Women Voters and other groups in court.
Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, now Speaker of the House, has been advocating for the federal SAVE Act. This legislation would mandate documentation like passports or birth certificates for voter registration. Research indicates at least 21 million Americans could struggle to access the necessary paperwork, a figure that doesn’t account for discrepancies such as women’s married names differing from birth certificates.
Johnson has acknowledged the elusive nature of noncitizen voting, stating it’s an intuition rather than a provable phenomenon, a sentiment now contradicted by his state’s own election official.
These concerns are part of a broader narrative used to bolster restrictive voting policies. Earlier this year, a federal court blocked an executive order by President Trump requiring a passport to register, and the Justice Department has sought voter records from at least 27 states. Such measures, combined with calls for mass voter roll purges, threaten to disenfranchise eligible voters amidst a backdrop of heightened nativist fears.
This environment undermines public confidence in electoral processes. While the recent findings in Louisiana might not change entrenched views, they serve as a reminder of the inherent security in American elections. Voters can be assured of a system designed to uphold democratic integrity amidst challenging times.
