On the ballot on November 5th is a Constitutional Amendment to our State Constitution. It is a Joint Resolution proposed by the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. I believe it is an attempt to clarify who qualifies as an Elector in the State of Idaho.

Right now Article VI, Section 2 of the Idaho State Constitution defines an Elector as
“Every male or female citizen of the United States, eighteen years old, who has resided in this State, and in the county where he or she offers to vote for the period provided by law, if registered as provided by law, is a qualified elector.”

The Joint Resolution proposes that the following text be added to Section 2 of Artice VI.
"NO PERSON WHO IS NOT A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE A QUALIFIED ELECTOR IN ANY ELECTION HELD WITHIN THE STATE OF IDAHO."

Historically, the current language would be enough. That being said, in today’s current political environment, we need things to be clarified. We see around the United State cities and States changing their ordinances and laws to allow non-citizens to vote in local and State elections. It is unconstitutional and illogical for this to be happening. When I lived in Europe as a child, my dad would never have been allowed to vote in German or British elections. Why would it ever make sense in any country to allow non-citizens to vote?

Opponents say that this Amendement is a waste of time; that there are no non-citizens voting in Idaho. I believe these same people will be the first ones to try to change the laws and even our State Constitution to allow all residents to vote, including non-citizens. If you want to vote in the United States, take the time to become a citizen.