CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A citizens-only voting amendment passed on the North Carolina ballot by a wide margin.
This is what voters in NC saw on their ballot:
"Constitutional amendment to provide that only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possesses the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this state."
Some people were confused about this amendment and asked for clarity before hitting the polls.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
First, it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal and state elections.
"Currently, in North Carolina law and federal law only U.S. citizens can vote," Dickerson said. "Non-U.S. citizens are not able to vote in our elections."
The 14th Amendment requires people to be born or naturalized in the United States to vote. The current North Carolina Constitution states every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized and is 18 years of age as long as they meet the qualifications can vote.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a “naturalized” citizen is someone who moved here and became a citizen. If approved, the amendment would take out the word naturalized.
But those who are naturalized are already citizens, so they would still be able to vote. However, there are concerns from some groups that it could cause confusion.
But for now, we wanted to make it clear that yes right now it is illegal if you are not a citizen of the United States to vote.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.