US states added over 30,000 non-citizens to voter rolls since 2000

by@Reuters

Summary

In a report by Reuters, it was revealed that over 30,000 self-declared non-citizens may have been mistakenly added to US voter rolls since 2000 due to software glitches and clerical errors related to driver's license and state ID applications. These errors have been identified in multiple states, both red and blue, and while the numbers are deemed too low to influence elections significantly, they highlight systemic issues within voter registration systems. Experts, including figures from the Heritage Foundation, suggest that these bureaucratic mistakes, rather than organized illegal voting efforts, are the primary cause for non-citizen registrations. The White House has proposed the SAVE America Act to address the issue by requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, although experts question its effectiveness in preventing such bureaucratic errors.

Analysis

Don Palmer: Don Palmer is a senior legal fellow for election integrity at the Heritage Foundation and former chair of the US Election Assistance Commission. He stated that driver's license agencies frequently make mistakes and urged greater verification of voter eligibility by states. Lauren Bis: Lauren Bis serves as a White House spokesperson. She issued a statement on the Reuters findings, arguing that non-citizen registrations demonstrate compromised elections and citing recent federal arrests of non-citizens for illegal voting. New Jersey: New Jersey is a US state that reported a technology glitch in its motor vehicle department systems. The glitch added non-citizens to voter rolls despite their correct responses on citizenship questions during license and ID applications processed in 2023-2024. Donald Trump: Donald Trump is the President of the United States. He and his supporters have asserted that non-citizen voting is widespread and part of an organized effort, advocating for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements ahead of midterm elections. US Government: The US Government sets federal standards for elections and voter eligibility through agencies including the Department of Justice and Election Assistance Commission. In this news, the White House is actively promoting the SAVE America Act to require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Officials have pointed to recent arrests as evidence that non-citizen voting occurs. Heritage Foundation: The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that focuses on policy issues including election integrity. Its senior legal fellow Don Palmer reviewed the Reuters reporting and identified driver's license agency errors as the main cause of mistaken non-citizen registrations. He called for states to fix the issue in a non-political manner. Election Integrity: Bureaucratic errors at state motor vehicle agencies, rather than intentional fraud, represent the primary pathway for non-citizens to appear on voter rolls according to experts. Legislative Proposal: The White House has pressed Congress to enact the SAVE America Act, which would mandate proof of US citizenship for voter registration and photo identification to vote. Voter Registration Systems: Motor-voter programs under the National Voter Registration Act link driver's license and state ID applications directly to voter registration in all states.

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