Indiana Legal professional Normal Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales have formally requested U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) to confirm the citizenship standing of greater than 500,000 individuals registered to vote in Indiana.
As outlined of their letter dated October 11, 2024, this requirement is meant to make sure that solely eligible U.S. residents can take part in upcoming federal, state, and native elections.
“States have a compelling curiosity in defending the integrity and reliability of the electoral course of,” their letter stated, echoing a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling.
“[P]Stopping voter fraud” and thereby making certain “public confidence within the integrity of the electoral course of” is a precedence that our authorities in any respect ranges ought to pursue vigorously.
“They’re important to the right functioning of our constitutional republic. One of many major methods we obtain these targets is by confirming that everybody registered to vote in Indiana is a U.S. citizen.
“Accordingly, we request that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies confirm the citizenship standing of the people listed in Reveals A, B, and C to this letter who’re registered to vote in Indiana pursuant to eight U.S.C. Part 1373,” the letter reads.
The request focused 585,774 registered voters, primarily those that didn’t present a driver’s license or Social Safety quantity, or who had been abroad.
“Below federal legislation, it’s illegal for any alien to vote in any election held solely or partly for the aim of electing a candidate for president, vp, presidential electors, or members of the Senate.” [or] Member of the Home of Representatives.
“Federal voter registration legal guidelines require federal election kinds to point “each eligibility requirement (together with citizenship). Likewise, falsely claiming to be a citizen to register to vote or to vote in a federal, state, or native election constitutes a federal felony punishable by as much as 5 years in jail.” imprisonment.
Indiana leaders emphasised that this verification course of is legally supported by federal rules that require USCIS to cooperate with state requests to verify a person’s immigration or citizenship standing.
“Below federal legislation, Indiana is obligated to conduct “record upkeep” of its statewide voter registration rolls, together with eradicating voters who’re “ineligible to vote” from the voting rolls. Indiana legislation additionally requires Indiana election officers to take steps to confirm registered voters State election officers are additionally directed to take away ineligible voters from the rolls underneath varied circumstances.
“Below present legislation, there isn’t any single approach to confirm the citizenship standing of all Indiana voters with cheap certainty. Subsequently, we search to make the most of each software at our disposal to confirm the citizenship standing of voters and assist make sure the integrity of our state’s voter registration system. One such software is supplied by a federal legislation that requires USCIS to “reply to investigations of…” . . state. . . A authorities company searching for to confirm or decide the citizenship or immigration standing of any particular person inside the company’s jurisdiction for any goal licensed by legislation.
The clock is ticking, and as Election Day approaches, Individuals deserve assurances that their votes won’t be compromised by unlawful voting.
Indiana’s voter registration deadline is October 7, and early voting begins the following day, October 8.
“A good and safe election course of begins with correct voter data,” Secretary Morales stated.
“As Indiana’s Chief Elections Officer, I’m dedicated to making sure that each registered voter in Indiana meets the authorized necessities, together with turning into a U.S. citizen. I’m proud to work with the Indiana Legal professional Normal to take proactive steps to supply Gathering lacking data for individuals who full registration and not using a state-issued ID is essential to sustaining election integrity and growing public confidence that solely U.S. residents can vote in Indiana.” State Secretary of State Diego Morales stated.
In accordance with AG Todd Rokita:
truth:
– Solely residents are eligible to vote in our elections. This should not be controversial.
– Below Indiana and federal legislation, it’s a felony to register to vote or to vote as an ineligible individual.
– If election officers obtain proof (at any time earlier than Election Day) that a person is ineligible to vote, they will problem his or her eligibility to vote.
– After registration closes on October 7, we require USCIS to confirm the citizenship standing of all voters who registered in Indiana however didn’t present state-issued identification.
– People don’t want to supply proof of citizenship to register to vote. Subsequently, it’s potential for non-citizens who aren’t eligible to aim to register. Subsequently, asking USCIS to help in confirming citizenship is a commonsense step to make sure the integrity of our elections. That is what many different international locations have finished and are doing.
– If you’re a citizen and registered to vote, we are going to defend your proper to take action with out having your vote diluted by unlawful votes.
– The left’s outrage over commonsense measures to guard our elections tells you all the pieces it is advisable know.
truth:
– Solely residents are eligible to vote in our elections. This should not be controversial.
– Below Indiana and federal legislation, it’s a felony to register to vote or to vote as an ineligible individual.
– If election officers obtain proof that an individual is ineligible… https://t.co/q2YYylTpZv
— AG Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) October 23, 2024
Learn the letter under:
