The Sconi

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke has issued the following press release:

MADISON – Earlier today, Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) proposed an amendment to the state’s constitution that would ensure only United States citizens have the ability to vote in forthcoming national, state, and local elections. Mirroring steps already taken by the federal government and several other states around the country, the amendment would provide needed clarity to help strengthen the integrity of our democratic process.

“It is vitally important that we as elected officials do what we can to protect the sanctity and integrity of our elections,” said Steineke. “This common sense proposal has already been adopted in red states and blue states alike and will only improve voter confidence in our elections moving forward.”

Currently, the Wisconsin Constitution stipulates that every U.S. citizen has the ability to cast a ballot in the state. However, several states and municipalities around the country have made efforts to expand the definition of a qualified elector and dilute the voting process for legal citizens.

The proposal, introduced by Rep. Steinke and State Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) would instead specify that only U.S. citizens may vote in national, state, and local elections.

“We should be holding Wisconsin elections to the highest standard, and this constitutional amendment that closes a loophole for non-citizens to vote will only increase the confidence Wisconsinites have in that process,” said Rep. Steineke.

The resolution, which must first clear the Legislature in back-to-back two-year sessions, would then be presented to voters as a referendum on a future statewide ballot – a process set forth by the Wisconsin State Constitution. A copy of the commonsense proposal can be viewed here.