In a sweeping move, voters in eight states endorsed GOP-backed amendments to limit voting rights exclusively to U.S. citizens, marking a pivotal turn in the national conversation on voter integrity.

These constitutional changes emerge amid heated debates over who should have the right to participate in state and local elections across America, Newsmax reported.

In recent elections, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin passed measures to amend their constitutions. These amendments make it clear that noncitizens cannot vote in state and local elections.

Previously, the language in many state constitutions referred to "every citizen" or "all citizens" having the right to vote. The new amendments modify this phrasing to "only citizens," explicitly excluding noncitizens from the voting process.

Particularly in Idaho and Kentucky, the new wording will straightforwardly state that "no person who is not a citizen of the United States" shall be permitted to vote in these elections.

Impact of Amendments on Current and Future Legislation

This legal shift comes as 19 communities in the United States, including Washington D.C., currently permit noncitizens to vote in local matters such as municipal or school board elections.

Reelected President Donald Trump and his supporters argue that these amendments respond necessarily to a perceived increase in noncitizen voting, which they claim current immigration policies under the Biden administration encourage.

According to John Gizzi of Newsmax, the passage of these amendments could potentially ignite a nationwide movement to prohibit noncitizen voting in all states within the next couple of years.

Political and Public Response to Voting Amendments

During a discussion on CBS's "Face the Nation," House Speaker Mike Johnson raised concerns about the integrity of upcoming elections, suggesting that noncitizens might find ways to participate illegally.

"There is going to be some cheating in this election. I think noncitizens are going to vote. Look, case in point," Johnson asserted, expressing concerns over the enforcement of these new constitutional rules.

Margaret Brennan, the show’s host, reminded Johnson that noncitizen voting in federal elections remains illegal, a point Johnson acknowledged but countered by highlighting issues at the state level. "Of course it is, of course it is, but here's the problem: There's a number of states that are not requiring proof of citizenship when illegals [who] are noncitizens register to vote," he explained.

Public Opinion and Support for Citizens-Only Voting

Americans For Citizen Voting, a group supporting the amendments, has cited poll data suggesting that a significant majority of Americans support limiting voting rights to citizens only, with predictions indicating between 70% and 80% approval in elections.

This broad public approval reflects a growing sentiment that voting in state and local elections should be a privilege reserved for U.S. citizens alone, further underpinning the push for these constitutional amendments.

With these amendments now passed, the states involved are setting a precedent that may influence further national discussions and legislative efforts concerning noncitizen voting rights.