The ongoing border crisis in the United States, widely regarded as the most significant in its history, continues to raise concerns as millions of illegal foreign nationals have entered the country since President Joe Biden took office in 2021 and relaxed border security measures. With many of these individuals being offered federal benefits, asylum, or work permits, questions arise about the potential for illegal entries onto voter rolls as the 2024 election approaches.
The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), commonly known as Motor Voter, has been a focal point in discussions about voter registration and the influx of noncitizens onto voter rolls. While there are legal provisions against noncitizens registering to vote and casting ballots, the automatic integration of voter registration with driver’s license issuance has led to concerns about ineligible individuals being included in voter rolls, especially in states where this process occurs automatically.
States have the responsibility to ensure the accuracy of voter registration lists, particularly by checking the citizenship status of individuals registered through DMV records. Some states, like Arizona, have utilized DMV data to filter out noncitizens from voter rolls for state elections. The key pillars of Motor Voter, including maintaining accurate rolls and transparency in data availability, are crucial for safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The Biden administration’s Executive Order 14019, directing federal agencies to engage in voter registration efforts, has raised alarms about potential voter disenfranchisement and partisan targeting in registration campaigns. Concerns have been voiced over states’ compliance with NVRA requirements, with instances like Pennsylvania’s inadvertent registration of noncitizens through motor voter processes sparking legal challenges and calls for Supreme Court review.
Virginia has taken steps to enhance voter registration validation by cross-referencing DMV legal presence codes with immigration status databases. This approach, part of a broader modernization effort, reflects a proactive stance in maintaining accurate voter rolls and addressing concerns about ineligible voters being included.
Efforts at the state and federal levels, such as legislation requiring citizenship documentation for voter registration and cross-checks with immigration databases, are crucial in addressing vulnerabilities in voter registration systems. The responsibility for verifying eligibility ultimately falls on local election officials, highlighting the importance of robust verification mechanisms to uphold the integrity of elections and prevent illegal voting activities.
