NC Senate Republicans Propose Constitutional Amendments for Citizens-only Voting, Voter ID, and Further Lowering the Income Tax Cap

All three amendments cleared first committee meeting today

Overcash: “The best defense we can mount against these attacks on democracy is to empower the people of North Carolina to amend their own constitution to state that only U.S. citizens shall vote in our elections”

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Republicans in the North Carolina Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee considered legislation to place three constitutional amendments on the 2024 general election ballots. The proposals, subject to approval by voters, would amend North Carolina’s constitution to:

• Require “only” U.S. citizens shall be permitted to vote in North Carolina’s elections
• Reduce the maximum allowable income tax rate from 7% to 5%
• Require that all voters present photo identification before voting, not just those voting in-person

“Democrats in far-left cities and states are doing everything they possibly can to allow noncitizens to vote in elections. The best defense we can mount against these attacks on democracy is to empower the people of North Carolina to amend their own constitution to state that only U.S. citizens shall vote in our elections.” Sen. Brad Overcash (R-Gaston) said.

“As absurd as it may be, noncitizen voting is growing in some parts of our country. Here in North Carolina, it’s imperative we protect our election integrity and security, and establish citizen-only voting,” Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said.

“Republicans have made tremendous progress in lowering taxes for North Carolina workers, families, and business owners. Now, we must preserve that progress by ensuring no future legislative body will raise taxes at a level that would erase those historical reductions and rob the wallets of North Carolinians,” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said.

“With this proposed change, our state constitution’s voter ID requirement would encompass all voters — not just those who vote in-person — and provide a stronger safeguard against any potential fraud,” Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee Chairman Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said.

Polling shows strong support for each of the proposed amendments. Citizen-only voting has been put on ballots in six states since 2018 and passed each state with at least 63% approval. One North Carolina poll conducted in early May found that 87% of likely voters support a constitutional amendment clarifying that only citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in all state and local North Carolina elections.

On the tax cap reduction, a recent poll of North Carolinians shows 71% are in favor of reducing the maximum allowable income tax rate in North Carolina to 4% — a full percentage point lower than the current proposal. That same poll found that 70% of North Carolinians support requiring voters to provide photo identification, even without exceptions.