HOW NON-CITIZENS ARE LEGALLY VOTING IN MICHIGAN & OTHER STATES

By, Michelle Hazekamp

September 29, 2025

Do you believe that only U.S. Citizens should be allowed to vote in our elections? Are you aware that non-citizens are legally voting in state and local elections?

Most people believe that only U.S. citizens can vote in our elections, and although federal law requires that in federal elections, it does not apply to state and local elections. Unless a state’s constitution specifically states that “only” citizens can vote, the possibility of non-citizens legally voting exists, and Michigan is one of several states that does not specify “only citizens” in its constitution.

The Michigan State Constitution currently states: Article II, Section 1 of the Michigan Constitution states: “Every citizen of the United States who has attained the age of 21 years, who has resided in this state six months, and who meets the requirements of local residence provided by law, shall be an elector and qualified to vote in any election except as otherwise provided in this constitution. The legislature shall define residence for voting purposes.”

In order to change the verbiage in our state constitution to specifically state that “only citizens can vote”, we must vote for an amendment to our state constitution. Currently, there is a petition circulating titled “Only Citizens Vote,” with the purpose of putting the constitutional amendment proposal on the November 2026 election ballot. The voters of Michigan wil then decide whether we want to make that amendment, and it will then be secured into law thereby ensuring that only U.S. citizens can vote in our state & local elections. 

Why is citizen voting important? 

As legal citizens of the U.S., it is a fundamental right of citizenship, and our inherited and privileged responsibility. A non-citizen can earn that right by legally obtaining citizenship.

The U.S. Constitution also recognizes and protects this right, and does not extend it to non-citizens:

• 15th Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.”

• 19th Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

• 24th Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.”

• 26th Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.”

  
  

State House Representative, Bryan Pothumus (R-90th District), first announced the initiative for the “Only Citizens Vote” petition in the beginning of 2025 and began circulating this summer.  The goal  is to establish clear language in our state constitution stating that only U.S. citizens can legally vote in our elections, and the petition has received positive support from both Republicans and Democrats. 

If you would like to sign the “Only Citizens Vote” petition and help put this on the November 2026 election ballot, the Muskegon County GOP have petitions available in their office at 2861 S. Brooks Rd., Muskegon 49444 (MuskegonGOP.com). You can stop by and sign the petition during office hours on Mondays from 4:00pm - 6:00pm, or Wednesdays from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. You can also call the office at: 231-246-8143 to arrange an alternate time. For more signing locations, visit onlycitizensvote.com/michigan or call 202-919-9558.