Understanding Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment 1

Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1, also known as the Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment, is a proposed amendment to the Kentucky State Constitution that seeks to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting in state elections. The amendment would change the constitution's wording from every citizen to only citizens, creating a legal barrier that could make voting less accessible, particularly for disabled voters. While supporters argue it ensures election security and prevents future courts from granting non-citizens the right to vote, opponents view it as redundant due to existing federal laws and a waste of resources. The decision rests with Kentucky voters, who will cast their 'Yes' or 'No' votes in November 2024, with a majority required for the amendment to pass.

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The amendment will change the wording of the constitution from every citizen to only citizens can vote

Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1, also known as the "Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment", is a proposed change to the Kentucky State Constitution that seeks to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting in state elections. The amendment will be put to a vote in November 2024, and if approved by a majority of voters, it will amend the constitution to state that "no person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote" in Kentucky elections.

Currently, the Kentucky Constitution does not directly state that non-citizens cannot vote. Instead, it lists "citizens" as entitled to vote in state elections. The amendment aims to close this perceived loophole in the language to prevent any future court interpretations that may grant non-citizens the right to vote. It is worth noting that federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, and Kentucky requires voters to be U.S. citizens with a minimum of 28 days of residency in the state before an election.

Supporters of the amendment view it as a preventative measure to ensure election security and protect the rights of citizens who have lawfully navigated the immigration process. They argue that it is a common-sense change to explicitly state what is already implied in the constitution and enforced by existing laws. Additionally, they point to similar amendments in other states, such as Ohio, where voting has been restricted to "only" citizens.

Opponents of the amendment, however, consider it a waste of election resources and a redundant change. They argue that the amendment changes no current rules but creates legal ways for voting to be less accessible, especially for disabled voters who may face challenges with voter identification requirements. Furthermore, they highlight that Kentucky is one of several states proposing such language changes, indicating a broader trend of explicitly prohibiting non-citizen voting rights.

The decision on whether to adopt Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1 lies with the voters of Kentucky. A "yes" vote indicates support for the amendment, while a "no" vote opposes it. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the wording of the constitution is changed from "every citizen" to "only citizens" can vote, with significant implications for voting rights and accessibility in the state.

The amendment will make it harder for disabled people to vote

Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1, also known as the "Citizenship Requirement for Voting" amendment, seeks to amend the state constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting in Kentucky elections. While federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, the amendment aims to close a perceived loophole in the state constitution's language. The amendment has sparked debate, with supporters arguing it ensures election security and prevents future courts from granting non-citizens the right to vote. Opponents, however, view it as redundant and potentially detrimental to voting accessibility for disabled citizens.

The amendment's impact on disabled voters is a significant concern. Voter identification requirements, which may become more prevalent as a result of this amendment, can pose challenges for disabled individuals. Obtaining the necessary identification may be difficult for those with limited mobility or transportation options. Additionally, the process of acquiring ID cards often involves online or in-person applications, which may not be accessible to all disabled people, especially those with visual or technological limitations.

The amendment's potential impact on voter turnout among disabled citizens is also a worry. If the amendment leads to stricter voter ID laws, it could deter disabled voters who face barriers to obtaining or presenting the required identification. This could result in a decrease in participation among disabled voters, effectively suppressing their vote. The process of voting itself may also become more cumbersome, especially for those with disabilities that affect their mobility or ability to interact with voting machines.

Furthermore, the amendment could indirectly affect disabled voters by influencing the allocation of resources and attention by election officials. The focus on implementing stricter voter ID laws and ensuring compliance with the amended constitution may divert resources away from initiatives aimed at improving accessibility for disabled voters. This could result in a lack of prioritization of accommodations and assistance for disabled citizens, further hindering their voting experience.

While the amendment's primary intention is to address citizenship requirements, its potential indirect consequences on disabled voters are significant. The amendment may inadvertently contribute to a more challenging and exclusionary voting process for disabled citizens. It underscores the importance of considering the potential impact on various marginalized communities when proposing and implementing electoral amendments to ensure that voting remains accessible and equitable for all eligible citizens.

The amendment is a preventative measure to ensure election security

In November 2024, Kentucky voters will decide on two constitutional amendments, including Amendment 1, a citizenship requirement measure. This amendment seeks to change the state constitution to explicitly state that "only citizens can vote" in Kentucky elections, as opposed to the current wording which says "every citizen can vote". While federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, supporters of the amendment argue that it is a preventative measure to ensure election security by closing a loophole in the language of the state constitution. They believe that this explicit wording will prevent courts from interpreting the law to allow non-citizens the right to vote in the future. Additionally, it could enable the implementation of Voter ID laws, making it harder for non-citizens to vote.

The amendment has faced opposition from those who view it as a waste of election resources and an unnecessary change. They argue that the current laws already prohibit non-citizens from voting, making the amendment redundant. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the amendment may create legal barriers that make voting less accessible, particularly for disabled people.

Kentucky is one of eight states proposing similar amendments to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting. This includes states like Ohio, which passed an amendment in 2022 restricting voting to "only" citizens. The Kentucky amendment requires a majority of votes to pass. If approved, the state constitution will be changed to explicitly prohibit non-citizen voting. However, if voters choose to disapprove of the amendment, the constitution will remain unchanged on this issue.

The decision on whether to adopt Amendment 1 rests with the voters of Kentucky. A “yes” vote indicates support for the amendment, while a “no” vote means voters do not want it to become law. This amendment highlights the ongoing debate around election security and citizenship requirements for voting rights in the United States.

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The amendment is redundant due to federal laws already prohibiting non-citizens from voting

Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1 is a citizenship requirement measure that would amend the state constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from voting in Kentucky elections. The current state constitution only lists "citizens" as entitled to vote in state elections, and federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections.

Supporters of the amendment argue that it is a preventative measure to ensure the security of elections and close a loophole in the language of the state constitution. They believe that adding explicit language will prevent courts from interpreting the constitution to allow non-citizens the right to vote in the future. However, opponents view the amendment as redundant due to existing federal laws that already prohibit non-citizens from voting.

Federal law already makes it illegal for non-citizens to vote in elections for the president or members of Congress. A 1996 US law states that violators of this law can face fines, imprisonment for up to a year, or deportation. Despite this, Kentucky is one of eight states proposing similar amendments to explicitly prohibit non-citizen voting. The other states include Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina, Idaho, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

The argument against Amendment 1 in Kentucky is that it is unnecessary and redundant given that federal laws already prohibit non-citizens from voting. The state constitution also currently requires voters to be US citizens, and Kentucky law requires voters to have lived in the state for at least 28 days before an election. Therefore, some argue that Amendment 1 changes no current rules but creates legal ways for voting to become less accessible, particularly for disabled voters who may face challenges with voter identification requirements.

In summary, while supporters of Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1 believe it strengthens election security and closes legal loopholes, opponents argue that it is redundant due to existing federal and state laws that already prohibit non-citizen voting. The debate highlights the balance between ensuring secure elections and maintaining accessible voting processes, especially for marginalized communities.

Kentucky is one of eight states with a proposed citizenship requirement on the ballot

Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1, also known as the "Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment," is one of two constitutional amendments on the ballot in Kentucky in 2024. The amendment seeks to amend the Kentucky State Constitution to explicitly prohibit noncitizens from voting in elections within the state. While federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and Kentucky requires voters to be U.S. citizens, the state constitution does not directly state that non-citizens cannot vote in state or local elections.

Supporters of the amendment argue that it is a preventative measure to ensure election security and prevent any future court rulings that may grant noncitizens the right to vote in Kentucky. They believe that adding clear language to the constitution closes a loophole and ties into the important political issue of immigration. Additionally, Republican legislators in Kentucky and across the country have strongly supported similar amendments, with near-unanimous approval.

Opponents of the amendment view it as unnecessary and redundant, given that existing laws already prohibit noncitizens from voting. They argue that it is a waste of election resources and does not change any current rules. Furthermore, they contend that such amendments could create legal barriers that make voting less accessible, particularly for disabled voters who may face challenges with voter identification requirements.

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