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SJR 18

Vehicle joint resolution.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shelli Yoder

Constitutional amendment bars noncitizens from voting in state/local elections, requires photo ID for all ballots, provides free IDs, and uses provisional ballots if ID is missing.

Authored by Senator Yoder
#generalassembly;vehiclebillsandvehiclejointresolutions
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Bill Summary · SJR 18

Summary — SJR 18: "The Citizens Only Voting Amendment"

Bill number: SJR 18
Short title / popular name: "The Citizens Only Voting Amendment"
Subject: Constitutional amendment on voter qualifications and photo identification requirements
Introduced: (document metadata) Nov 12, 2024; text shows legislative activity in early 2025
Effective date if adopted: January 1, 2027 (per text)
Procedure to take effect: Proposed amendment would be submitted to state voters at the next general election for Representatives and Senators; it becomes part of the state constitution if a majority of those voting on the question approve it.

Purpose / Intent

To amend the state constitution to (1) state explicitly that only United States citizens who meet the electors’ qualifications under the state constitution may vote in state or local elections, and (2) add/clarify photographic identification requirements and related provisional ballot procedures.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article 3, §1 of the state constitution to add an explicit, first-line provision: "Only a citizen of the United States meeting the qualifications of an elector under this section may vote in an election in this state."
  • Adds an explicit prohibition: a person who does not meet the constitutional elector qualifications shall not be permitted to vote in any state or local election held in the state.
  • Reiterates elector qualifications (citizen, state resident, age 18+, lawfully registered).
  • Establishes photographic identification requirements:
    • Voters receiving a ballot in person must present valid photographic identification.
    • Absentee voters must enclose a copy of valid photographic identification with their ballot.
    • The General Assembly shall define acceptable types of photographic identification by law.
  • The state must issue photographic identification at no charge to an eligible voter who lacks an acceptable form of photographic ID.
  • Provisional ballot rules:
    • A voter unable to present valid photographic ID in person may cast a provisional ballot.
    • An absentee ballot lacking the required copy of photographic ID is treated as a provisional ballot.
    • Provisional ballots count only if the voter subsequently certifies the provisional ballot in a manner provided by law.
  • The General Assembly is directed to implement these provisions by statute and may provide statutory exceptions to the ID requirements.

Who would be affected

  • Noncitizens (including lawful permanent residents and other non-U.S. citizens): the amendment would constitutionally bar them from voting in any state or local election.
  • U.S. citizens who lack acceptable photographic ID: subject to provisional voting procedures unless they obtain the free state-issued ID or otherwise satisfy later certification requirements.
  • Election officials and local governments: would need to implement new ID verification procedures, process provisional ballots, and potentially issue free IDs.
  • Municipalities or jurisdictions currently considering or permitting noncitizen voting: those local policies would conflict with this constitutional language if adopted.

Administrative, legal, and practical implications

  • Codifies citizen-only voting protection at the constitutional level, limiting the ability of local governments to allow noncitizen voting in local elections.
  • May increase administrative responsibilities and costs (issuing free IDs, training poll workers, processing provisional ballots), though the amendment does not include specific funding provisions.
  • Implementation details (acceptable IDs, exceptions, certification process for provisional ballots) are left to the General Assembly, which could adopt implementing statutes.
  • Because this is a constitutional amendment, it could be the subject of legal challenges interpreting interactions with federal law or specific application details; courts could be asked to interpret ambiguities in implementation.

Procedural notes

  • The text indicates it is a joint resolution proposing a state constitutional amendment and, per the resolution text, would be placed on the next general election ballot for voter approval.
  • The document supplied includes multiple legislative action entries and related procedural logs; companion or related measures include HJR 6 (listed as a companion in the materials).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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