U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Tampa, has introduced a constitutional amendment to establish a permanent requirement that only United States citizens may vote in federal elections.
Federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections.
“However, federal law alone is not permanent — it can be repealed, weakened, or challenged, and the Constitution leaves voter qualifications primarily to the states,” said a news release from Lee’s office. “As a result, the current framework does not guarantee a lasting nationwide standard.”
At least five other U.S. House members joined Lee in sponsoring the measure. Studies have found that voting by non-citizens is extremely rare, including one released in 2025 by the Center for Election Innovation and Research.
“For generations, Americans have shared a clear and common understanding: voting in federal elections is a right reserved for United States citizens,” Lee said in the news release. “While current federal law reflects that consensus, the Constitution itself does not explicitly require citizenship for voting in federal elections. This amendment provides the clarity and permanence needed to ensure that this fundamental principle is protected.”
The Constitution has been amended 27 times, most recently in 1992. The 27th Amendment prohibits any law increasing or decreasing the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.
Proposed constitutional amendments must receive two-thirds approval from both chambers of Congress. A measure then must be ratified by legislatures in 38 of the 50 states.
Lee’s proposal comes as President Donald Trump is pressuring Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to vote. The House passed the measure, 218 to 213, on Feb. 11. Lee joined all Republicans — including Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, and Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Clermont — in voting for the bill.
Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, joined all but one Democrat in voting against it.
The bill has been stalled in the U.S. Senate, whose filibuster rules make it more difficult for the majority Republicans to bring items up for votes.
Democrats and some nonpartisan organizations have criticized the SAVE America Act, saying it would impose unfair barriers to voting, especially for married women and others whose names have changed since birth.
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Rep. Lee seeks amendment limiting voting to U.S. citizens
Reporting by Gary White, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
