Battleground State Election Officials Conference on Noncitizen Voting

During the conference, officials from both parties shared insights into the steps they are taking to combat misinformation regarding noncitizen voting. For instance, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State, Al Schmidt, highlighted his extensive research indicating that instances of noncitizen voting are extremely rare. Michigan’s Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, pointed out that automatic voter registration processes effectively verify citizenship status. Additionally, states like Arizona have implemented documentary proof of citizenship requirements for voting. These officials are not only focused on maintaining the integrity of the voter rolls but are also proactive in countering the narratives that suggest widespread noncitizen voting, which they argue can undermine public trust in the electoral system.

Key Initiatives and Responses

• Verification Measures: Election officials are implementing various verification processes to ensure that only eligible voters are registered. For example, Michigan’s automatic voter registration captures citizenship status during driver’s license applications.

• Addressing Misinformation: The officials discussed strategies to counteract misinformation, including transparency in election procedures and proactive audits to build public confidence in the electoral process.

• Political Context: The conference occurred amid heightened rhetoric from political figures regarding noncitizen voting, with some advocating for stricter voting laws and promoting narratives of ineligible voters on the rolls.

• Collaboration and Education: Officials emphasized the importance of collaboration among states and educating the public about the security measures in place to protect the integrity of elections.