Claims of Widespread Non-Citizen Voting in U.S. Elections Lack Evidence, Studies Show

Claims linking immigration fraud to election fraud, such as those recently made by Ashley Rindsberg, frequently lack substantial evidence, according to numerous studies and election officials. While it is illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal or state elections in the United States, audits and research consistently demonstrate that instances of non-citizens casting ballots are exceedingly rare. Penalties for illegal voting by non-citizens can include up to five years in federal prison and potential deportation.

The Migration Policy Institute highlights that there is no evidence of unauthorized immigrants, green-card holders, or temporary visa holders voting in significant numbers, despite assertions of millions participating. Becoming a U.S. citizen, and thus eligible to vote, is a lengthy process often requiring five years of legal permanent residency, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen, before naturalization. This complex path makes quick voter eligibility for new migrants highly improbable.

Audits by state election officials and analyses from nonpartisan organizations, including some conservative think tanks, have found non-citizen voter fraud to be "exceedingly rare." For example, a 2022 Georgia investigation identified 1,634 potential non-citizen registration attempts between 1997 and 2022, all of which were blocked until proof of citizenship was provided. A Heritage Foundation database, which tracks election fraud cases, recorded only 23 instances of non-citizen voting between 2003 and 2022.

The Brennan Center for Justice reported that non-citizen votes account for an infinitesimal percentage of all ballots cast, estimated between 0.0003% and 0.001%. Many reported incidents of voter fraud are often attributed to clerical errors or data matching inaccuracies rather than deliberate illegal voting. Despite these findings, some Republican officials have introduced measures like the SAVE Act 2024, aiming to mandate additional ID requirements, which critics argue could disenfranchise eligible U.S. citizens without addressing a widespread problem.

States already employ safeguards to prevent non-citizens from voting, including requiring applicants to affirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury on voter registration forms. While some non-citizens may mistakenly register, states regularly audit their databases to remove ineligible voters. A limited number of U.S. jurisdictions do permit non-citizens to vote in specific local elections, such as for school boards or city councils, but these instances are strictly separate from federal and statewide elections.