Audit Uncovers Surprising Voter Registration Anomaly, Sparks Reform Debate

auditor looking over a document with pen and magnifying glass

Georgia’s voter roll audit uncovers noncitizen registrations, prompting calls for federal election law reforms and raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.

At a Glance

Georgia’s audit identified 20 foreign nationals mistakenly registered to vote, with 156 more registrations under investigation.
All 20 noncitizen voter registrations were canceled and referred to local law enforcement for prosecution.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urges Congress to reform the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
The audit highlights potential flaws in federal oversight mechanisms for voter registration.
Other states, including Texas and Ohio, have also found and removed noncitizens from their voter rolls.

Georgia’s Groundbreaking Citizenship Audit

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has conducted the state’s first-ever citizenship review of voter rolls, uncovering a concerning number of noncitizens who attempted to register to vote. The audit, which utilized data from the Georgia Department of Driver Services and the Department of Homeland Security’s USCIS, identified 1,634 noncitizens who tried to register.

The review process involved the use of the USCIS’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which flagged these noncitizens. Georgia’s robust citizenship check procedures placed these individuals in “pending citizenship” status, effectively preventing them from casting votes in state elections.

Pressure grows on Georgia Secretary of State to release results of noncitizen voter roll audit https://t.co/MyrtcJnca9

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 21, 2024

Audit Findings and Immediate Actions

The audit revealed that 20 foreign nationals were mistakenly listed on Georgia’s voter rolls. In response to this discovery, election officials took swift action. All 20 noncitizen voter registrations were promptly canceled, and the cases were referred to local law enforcement for potential prosecution.

“All twenty of those voter registrations have been cancelled, and all of them are being referred to local law enforcement for prosecution,” said Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Additionally, the audit flagged 156 more registrations as potentially belonging to noncitizens, which are now under further investigation. It’s worth noting that noncitizens who register to vote in Georgia face severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

Call for Federal Election Law Reforms

The findings of Georgia’s audit have sparked a broader conversation about the need for federal election law reforms. Secretary Raffensperger and other election officials are urging Congress to reevaluate and reform the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prevent such issues in the future.

“Ensuring that only citizens are voting in Georgia’s elections is key to upholding the integrity of the vote in Georgia,” said Raffensperger. “As liberal states and cities around the country are changing their laws to allow noncitizen voting, I will continue to take steps to ensure Georgia’s elections are executed with integrity. Leading the state’s first citizenship audit of the voter rolls is an important part of that effort.”

The audit has highlighted potential flaws in federal oversight mechanisms, suggesting that current safeguards may be insufficient to prevent noncitizens from being added to voter rolls. This revelation has led to calls for stronger measures at both the state and federal levels to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Implications for Election Integrity

The Georgia audit’s findings have implications that extend beyond the state’s borders. Other states, including Texas and Ohio, have also conducted similar reviews and found noncitizens on their voter rolls. This pattern suggests a nationwide need for improved voter registration verification processes.

“It demonstrates that there are insufficient safeguards to keep noncitizens off the voter rolls in the first place. That is going to require some changes in state and federal law, in every state, and changes in the way that election officials screen new registration applicants,” according to Election Integrity Network Founder Cleta Mitchell.

As the 2024 election approaches, the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls has become increasingly apparent. The Georgia audit serves as a wake-up call for election officials nationwide, highlighting the need for regular, thorough reviews of voter registration data to ensure that only eligible citizens are participating in the electoral process.