Voters in 11 States Decide on Stricter Voting Laws

Voters in 11 U.S. states will decide on ballot measures regarding voter identification and citizenship requirements during the November midterm elections. Six states—California, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Colorado—are considering mandates for government-issued identification for casting ballots. In California, Proposition 39 would require government ID for in-person voting and partial ID numbers for mail-in ballots.

Simultaneously, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia are weighing constitutional amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting. Proponents, including the Republican-aligned Americans for Citizen Voting, argue these measures prevent local governments from rolling back citizenship requirements. Opponents, such as the League of Women Voters, claim the measures are redundant because noncitizen voting is already illegal.

These state-level efforts follow a stalled Republican-backed election overhaul in Congress. Donald Trump has advocated for the Save America Act and national voter ID policies, while Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has worked to cross-check voter records with citizenship databases. In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose is appealing a court ruling that blocked a requirement for proof of citizenship at motor vehicle offices.

In Arizona, Senator Mark Kelly warned that Proposition 144, which would mandate government ID and ban foreign national contributions, could disenfranchise the state's high volume of mail-in voters. Other states are considering separate election changes, including redistricting referendums in Maryland and primary system changes in Massachusetts and Alaska.