Jonah Patel
Democrats are against the North Carolina constitutional amendment because they believe it is an attempt by certain politicians to spread misinformation about immigrants and voting to create doubt about elections. The amendment proposes to modify the qualifications to vote to only include citizens by removing every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized. This change in language may confuse naturalized citizens and prevent them from exercising their right to vote. Opponents of the amendment, including Democrats, have also argued that it is redundant as state and federal laws already require U.S. citizenship to vote. Furthermore, they argue that the amendment perpetuates anti-immigration hate and racism and will have a negative impact on immigrant communities, which are vital to North Carolina's economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Amendment | To address false claims that noncitizens are voting illegally in U.S. elections |
| Amendment Text | "Constitutional amendment to provide that only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possesses the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this state." |
| Opposition | Democrats, Democracy NC, North Carolina Asian Americans Together, El Pueblo, Carolina Migrant Network Inc., Forward Justice Action Network, N.C. For the People Action, NC Justice Center, Common Cause North Carolina, The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina, NC Black Alliance, Black and Brown Policy Network |
| Democrat Arguments | Unnecessary, redundant, creates confusion for naturalized citizens, promotes hatred towards immigrants, a political tool to drum up conservative voters, a legislative power grab, will restrict Sunday hunting laws, will increase costs for counties |
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What You'll Learn
The amendment is redundant and unnecessary
The proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution, known as the "citizens-only" voting amendment, has faced opposition from Democrats and other groups due to its perceived redundancy and potential negative impact on naturalized citizens' voting rights.
The amendment seeks to modify the qualifications for voting by removing the phrase "every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized" and replacing it with "only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possesses the qualifications for voting."
However, critics argue that this amendment is unnecessary as the Constitution already requires citizens-only voting. State Rep. Sarah Crawford, one of the Democratic legislators who voted against the amendment, stated that the existing Constitution clearly outlines the voting requirements, and the proposed change is redundant. She believes that the amendment is a political tool used to attract conservative voters and create confusion and fear around election integrity.
The amendment's potential impact on naturalized citizens' voting rights is a significant concern. By removing the term "naturalization," there are worries that naturalized citizens may face confusion and obstacles in exercising their fundamental right to vote. This issue is particularly relevant in North Carolina, where immigrants and naturalized citizens make up a significant portion of the state's economy and population.
Additionally, opponents argue that the amendment is an attempt to spread misinformation about immigrants and voting, creating doubt about election results. They believe that the amendment is divisive and promotes hatred towards immigrant communities, especially in the context of growing false claims about noncitizen voting.
In conclusion, the opposition to the amendment by Democrats and other organizations stems from their belief that it is redundant, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to the voting rights of naturalized citizens. They argue that the existing Constitution already guarantees citizens-only voting, and the proposed amendment may create confusion and negatively impact the rights and participation of naturalized citizens in the electoral process.
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It may confuse and deter naturalized citizens from voting
The proposed amendment to the North Carolina constitution has been criticized for potentially confusing and deterring naturalized citizens from voting. The amendment seeks to modify the qualifications to vote by removing the term "naturalization" from the constitutional voting qualifications. This has been interpreted as an attempt to create confusion and prevent naturalized citizens from exercising their fundamental right to vote, including political self-determination, which is guaranteed to all U.S. citizens.
The current state constitution states that voting is limited to "every person born in the United States and every other person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age." The proposed amendment would change this language to specify that only a "citizen" is entitled to vote, without explicitly mentioning naturalized citizens. This change in wording has raised concerns among opponents of the amendment, who argue that it is unnecessary and may confuse naturalized citizens about their eligibility to vote. They believe that the amendment is redundant as federal laws already require U.S. citizenship for voting and that robust election safeguards are in place to ensure only qualified citizens cast ballots.
The potential impact of this amendment on naturalized citizens is a significant concern. More than a third of all immigrants in North Carolina are naturalized U.S. citizens, and their contribution to the state's economy is substantial. By removing the explicit mention of naturalization, there is a risk that naturalized citizens may be deterred from voting due to uncertainty about their eligibility. This could effectively suppress the votes of a significant portion of the state's population, disproportionately affecting those who have recently become citizens.
Additionally, the proposed amendment has been criticized as a divisive tactic used by certain politicians to spread misinformation about immigrant communities and create doubt about election integrity. Opponents argue that it perpetuates anti-immigration sentiments and promotes mistrust in the election process, particularly in light of growing false claims that noncitizens are voting illegally in U.S. elections.
In conclusion, the potential impact of the proposed amendment on naturalized citizens is a critical concern. The removal of the term "naturalization" from the constitutional voting qualifications may confuse and deter naturalized citizens from exercising their right to vote. This, coupled with the perceived unnecessary nature of the amendment and its potential to promote anti-immigration sentiments, has led to opposition from those who value the protection of voting rights for all eligible citizens.
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It spreads anti-immigration rhetoric and xenophobia
The proposed North Carolina constitutional amendment, known as HB 1074 or the "citizens-only" amendment, has faced opposition from Democrats and other groups due to concerns that it spreads anti-immigration rhetoric and xenophobia. The amendment seeks to modify the state's constitution by removing the phrase "every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized" from the voting qualifications.
Critics argue that this change in language promotes anti-immigration sentiments and perpetuates racism. They believe that the amendment is unnecessary, as federal laws already require U.S. citizenship for voting and robust election safeguards are in place to ensure only qualified citizens cast ballots. The amendment is seen as an attempt to sow division, create mistrust in elections, and spread fear and confusion.
The removal of the term "naturalization" from the voting qualifications has raised concerns about confusing and chilling the voting rights of naturalized citizens. More than a third of immigrants in North Carolina are naturalized citizens, and there are worries that this amendment may prevent them from exercising their fundamental right to vote, including political self-determination.
Furthermore, opponents argue that the amendment is based on false claims and misinformation spread by far-right extremists and certain politicians. They believe that it is a divisive tactic used to create doubts about elections and promote hatred towards immigrant communities. Immigrants are vital to North Carolina's economy, contributing significantly to the workforce and generating billions in spending power and tax contributions.
The amendment has been characterized as an affront to good government and a political tool to drum up conservative voters. It is seen as an unnecessary change to the constitution that sets a dangerous precedent and creates barriers for eligible North Carolinians to participate in shaping their future.
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It is a political tool to drum up conservative voters
The proposed North Carolina constitutional amendment, also known as HB 1074, has faced opposition from Democrats and other groups due to concerns that it is a political tool aimed at rallying conservative voters. The amendment seeks to modify the state's constitution by changing the voting qualifications to only include "citizens." This change would remove the phrase "every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized."
Critics argue that this amendment is unnecessary and redundant as the Constitution already restricts voting rights to citizens. State Rep. Sarah Crawford, one of the Democratic legislators who voted against the amendment, stated that it is "a political tool to try to drum up more conservative voters and create fear and confusion about what is happening or is not happening in our elections." The amendment is seen as a response to growing but largely unfounded claims by Republicans that noncitizens are voting illegally in U.S. elections.
By removing the term "naturalization," the amendment may create confusion and potentially disenfranchise naturalized citizens, who are guaranteed the right to vote under the Constitution. This change could particularly impact North Carolina, where more than a third of all immigrants are naturalized U.S. citizens, and where immigrants make significant contributions to the state's economy and workforce. The amendment has been characterized as a divisive tactic that promotes anti-immigration sentiment and spreads doubts about the integrity of elections.
Furthermore, some Democrats argue that the amendment is an attempt to create fear and confusion among voters, potentially impacting their desire to participate in elections. They believe that the amendment is a cynical ploy to energize conservative voters and create a sense of uncertainty around election processes. This is especially concerning given the close presidential race expected in North Carolina.
In summary, the opposition to the NC constitutional amendment by Democrats and other groups stems from the belief that it is a politically motivated tool designed to rally conservative voters by spreading fears and confusion about illegal voting and creating confusion, particularly among naturalized citizens. The amendment's potential impact on voting rights, the economy, and social cohesion has led to widespread concerns about its true intentions and potential consequences.
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It could restrict Sunday hunting laws
One of the six proposed amendments to the North Carolina constitution that people are being urged to vote against is the amendment protecting the right of people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife. This is because the amendment is unnecessary, as no rights to hunt and fish are currently being threatened. The amendment's language comes from a template provided by the National Rifle Association. If passed, the amendment could restrict Sunday hunting laws and may result in "traditional" hunting methods such as trapping, poisoning, and other cruel forms of wildlife killing.
The amendment protecting the right of people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is one of six proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution that are causing concern for those interested in criminal justice reform. The current lawmakers are using this process to make dramatic changes that will last far beyond their tenure in government. If all six amendments are passed, they will have a major impact on the daily lives of North Carolinians, especially those involved with the justice system.
The proposed amendment protecting the right to hunt and fish is unnecessary, as no rights to hunt and fish are currently being threatened. The amendment's language was suggested by the National Rifle Association. If passed, it could restrict Sunday hunting laws and may lead to an increase in cruel hunting practices. Traditional hunting methods such as trapping and poisoning may become more common, negatively impacting wildlife.
The potential restriction on Sunday hunting laws is a significant concern for those opposed to the amendment. While the amendment is meant to protect the right to hunt, it may end up limiting hunting activities on Sundays, which is a popular day for hunting among those with busy work schedules during the week. This restriction could impact a large number of hunters and lead to a decrease in hunting and fishing participation.
In addition, the amendment's potential impact on "traditional" hunting methods is worrying. Trapping, poisoning, and other cruel forms of wildlife killing are considered unacceptable by many modern hunters who prioritize ethical and humane practices. If the amendment leads to a resurgence of these outdated methods, it will be detrimental to wildlife conservation and animal welfare in North Carolina.
Overall, the potential restriction on Sunday hunting laws and the encouragement of cruel hunting practices are compelling reasons for Democrats and those interested in criminal justice reform to vote against the proposed amendment protecting the right to hunt and fish in North Carolina.
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Frequently asked questions
The NC constitutional amendment is seen as an attempt by certain politicians to spread misinformation about immigrants and voting, creating doubt about elections.
The amendment seeks to modify the qualifications to vote to only "a citizen" by removing "every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized".
Removing the term naturalization from the constitutional voting qualifications may prevent naturalized citizens from exercising their fundamental right to vote, creating confusion.
Immigrants and Naturalized Citizens are vital to North Carolina's economy. Immigrants have contributed significantly to the state's workforce, with a collective spending power of $22 billion and tax contributions of over $7 billion.
