Republicans propose amendment to make clear that non-citizens can't vote in Ohio

A constitutional amendment stating that non-U.S. citizens can’t vote in Ohio is working its way through the legislature and could be before voters this fall. The issue of non-citizens voting, long of concern to Republicans, could appear on a crowded ballot that includes races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) told the House State and Local Government Committee that the state constitution guarantees the vote to all eligible citizens, but it doesn’t ban state or local lawmakers from allowing non-citizens to vote too.

“What seemed incomprehensible to me only a few years ago may become a reality here in Ohio in a few years unless we act," Seitz said.

Seitz is sponsoring the resolution with Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville).

Seitz noted in March 2020, voters in liberal Yellow Springs approved allowing non-citizens to register and vote in municipal elections — but Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, ruled those registrations must be rejected.

Read more: https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2022-05-19/republicans-propose-amendment-to-make-clear-that-non-citizens-cant-vote-in-ohio