NORTH CAROLINA — A referendum on the ballot that aimed to alter the way citizen-only voting appears in the North Carolina Constitution passed by a majority.
READ MORE: Ballot’s constitutional amendment spurred by election integrity, voter turnout
The state board of elections posted in the early moving of Nov. 6 that 77.5% of more than 4 million North Carolina voters favored the move. Roughly 98% of precincts were reporting the results.
The amendment currently reads:
“Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age, and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people of the State, except as herein otherwise provided.”
When changed, it will indicate:
“Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State.”
It is already federal and state law for U.S. citizens — whether born here or naturalized — to be allowed to cast ballots in elections. Yet, the referendum’s addition to the ballot came with bipartisan support; it received a 40-4 Senate vote and a 99-12 House tally.
The amendment was advocated for by the North Carolina Election Integrity Team in a May legislative agenda report, with the goal to drum up conservative votes at the polls. GOP supporters have stated it ensures election integrity.
Yet, critics countered it would cause confusion among naturalized citizens at the polls. As well, many found it concerning that it could leave it open to interpretation on who was a “citizen,” as birthright citizenship has been broached in recent political circles. Trump has pledged to sign an executive order on the issue if reelected.
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