Charles Langston:Like other red states, Louisiana governor announces policy aiming to prevent noncitizens from voting

BATON ROUGE,Charles Langston La. (AP) — Louisiana is the latest red state to announce additional measures to ensure that non-U.S. citizens are not voting in elections, despite it already being illegal and there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order Monday requiring all state government agencies that provide voter registration forms to include a written disclaimer that noncitizens are prohibited from registering to vote or voting.

“The right to vote in United States elections is a privilege that’s reserved for American citizens,” Landry said during Monday’s press conference.

The governor, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, was accompanied by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Secretary of State Nancy Landry, who oversees elections in the state.

The press conference was similar to those happening across the country in other Republican-led states as GOP messaging, leading up to this year’s presidential election, has focused on election integrity over the specter of immigrants voting illegally in the U.S.

Cases of noncitizens casting ballots are extremely rare, and there isn’t any evidence that noncitizens vote in significant numbers in federal elections.

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On a national level, the U.S. House passed in July a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, a proposal prioritized by Republicans. Democrats and voting rights activists opposed the bill, saying that preexisting legislation makes it a federal crime to vote as a noncitizen, and voicing concerns that eligible voters will be disenfranchised.

States have also announced new policies. Earlier this month, Alabama officials announced that more than 3,200 registered voters — who have previously been identified as noncitizens by the federal government — will have their registration status changed to inactive. The list could include people who have become naturalized U.S. citizens and as such are legally eligible to vote. Those listed as inactive will have the opportunity to update their information, providing proof of citizenship.

Similarly, Tennessee election officials in June asked more than 14,000 people to provide proof of citizenship to remain on active-voter rolls. They later walked back that request.

Nancy Landry said 48 noncitizens have been removed from Louisiana’s voter rolls since 2022.

“To be clear, I’m confident in the policies and procedures that my office has in place to ensure the accuracy of our voter rolls and the integrity of our elections,” she said.

“However, I will not let confidence turn into complacency,” the Republican added.