Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. December 1, 2022. Photo by Brooke Thorington.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is urging voters to vote yes on constitutional amendment number one on the December 10th ballot. A yes vote would prohibit non-citizens from voting in Louisiana, even though it’s already unlawful for them to vote in state and federal elections.
“What this amendment focuses on is preventing local governing authorities from allowing non-citizens to register and to vote in their elections,” said Ardoin.
When registering to vote there’s a box to check attesting citizenship. Ardoin said there have only been a few incidents where a non-citizen has voted or attempted to vote in Louisiana.
“I’d say under a dozen a year. A lot of it is incumbent on the local registrar when the individual registers first and foremost,” said Ardoin.
The amendment was placed on the ballot after a bill authored by Kenner Republican Representative Debbie Villio, passed in the 2022 regular legislative session. Ardoin said current language in the state constitution could be construed to allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.
“And as Secretary, I’m always looking for ways to be proactive to protect the integrity of our elections,” said Ardoin.
Early voting for the December 10th election ends on Saturday.
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