West Virginia Legislators Push for Citizen Voting Rights

Submitted by MAGA Student

Posted 22 hours ago

**Citizenship and Integrity: West Virginia Pushes to Safeguard Elections**

In a significant move bolstering electoral integrity, West Virginia lawmakers are once again rallying for a constitutional amendment to ensure that only United States citizens have the right to vote in state elections.

For the third consecutive session, House Joint Resolution 18 and Senate Joint Resolution 9 have been introduced in the state Legislature, signaling a hopeful push towards reform.


State Director of Americans for Citizens Voting, Charlie Kolean, has been a vocal advocate of this initiative, stating, “Only American citizens should vote in West Virginia’s elections.” Kolean emphasized that nearly 80 percent of Americans agree with this principle—a reflection of the common sense this proposal embodies.

In 2024, similar resolutions passed through both legislative houses, but a Democratic filibuster and an unfortunate technical glitch thwarted their completion. Now, with the mounting support from constituents, there is renewed optimism that Republican leaders will seize this opportunity to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

This year’s proposed amendment aims to modify Section 1, Article IV of the West Virginia Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from casting votes in any state election. Should it pass both houses with a two-thirds majority, West Virginians can expect to see the question on the ballot in the upcoming November general election.

Leading the charge in the House is Delegate Scot Heckert, joined by a coalition of fellow Republican delegates. In the Senate, GOP Senator Patricia Rucker, a naturalized citizen herself, is spearheading the charge. Rucker, who emigrated from Venezuela, passionately asserts that this measure is critical for the state, adding, “This is a simple constitutional amendment that I believe most citizens will support.”

West Virginia is not the only state pursuing such measures; following Texas's successful passage of a similar law, 21 states now mandate that only citizens can vote. This movement reflects a growing national trend aimed at safeguarding the electoral process from potential abuses and fostering trust in democratic institutions.

With political momentum clearly on their side, West Virginia Republicans have a vital opportunity to lead on this pressing issue. By championing citizenship-only voting measures, they can bolster trust in the system and ensure that the voices of American citizens are preserved and prioritized in electoral outcomes.

As this legislative session unfolds, all eyes will be on West Virginia, watching to see if lawmakers can overcome past hurdles and deliver a secure electoral future for all citizens.

Sources:
justthenews.com
theepochtimes.com
liveaction.org



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