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Letter: Constitution already limits right to vote to citizens

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To the Editor-

Thanks to an opinion letter in the Metro Wire, I learned that the November 5th ballot contains a question to amend Article 3, section 1 of the Wisconsin state constitution.

The section concerns eligibility to vote in Wisconsin. And, as the writer points out there appears to be very little media attention to this proposed constitutional amendment. The writer plans to vote yes (on the state voting eligibility referendum).

The proposed amendment reads: “Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of Article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum?”

The current Section 1 of Article 3 reads, in its entirety: “Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district.”

Pretty clear and concise; the Constitution says you must be a citizen and over 18 to vote. The proposed amendment changes every citizen to only citizen and adds national, state, or local office or a statewide or local referendum. In my non-attorney opinion, this amendment changes nothing in the current constitution in practice. Adding not-needed words as the type of election (national, state, local, or referendums) only opens the doors for billionaire-backed attorneys to argue and courts to search for the never-finding “original intent.”

The amendment is silent on a recall vote, does that mean a noncitizen could vote in a recall? Or why were referendums added? What did the drafters intend and, by the way, who are the drafters? Let’s take it to the Supreme Court! You might say that could not happen but for some reason, we are now voting to change a perfectly clear constitution section. Who would have thought that could happen?

I’m concerned that, just maybe, the Big Lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and illegal immigrants by the millions are voting in our elections is driving this constitutional amendment.

I plan to vote no. But other than the possible political spin that Wisconsin voters are concerned about election system integrity as demonstrated by a yes vote, there appears to be no practical outcome from a yes or no vote, l hope.

I do not support giving noncitizens the right to vote in any election. Only citizens should have the right to vote. And I think we are covered.

David Rosin
Plover