Background
There has been a national push to prevent non-citizens from voting in local elections. Since 2018 several states have passed laws and constitutional changes like this one.
Voters are being told that non-citizens are currently voting in local and national elections, and that this is a problem. In reality, non-citizens can't vote in Iowa, with or without a change to the Constitution.
What the amendment would do is prevent local communities from deciding for themselves who can vote in their local elections.
SJR 9
Today, Every citizen has the right to vote. If the amendment is approved by voters, it proposes to change the Constitution so that only citizens will have the right to vote.
The Senate unanimously passed the bill on March 7, 2023. The House followed suit and unanimously voted to pass the bill on April 4, 2023.
It will be placed on the ballot in the upcoming 2024 election. If approved by voters, the Iowa Constitution would be changed.
The Vote
In November 2024 voters will be asked to make the final decision on whether or not to implement this restriction.
It is important we get the word out about this measure! Voting is one of the most important thing we can do. But, even if you are not a citizen, you can speak up to make sure your local community is represented.
Even though the decision is in the hands of the voters now, you can still write your representatives to express your opinion about their vote to support this change.
"Voting age"
The proposed change is sometimes misleadingly reported on as being about the voting age.
The voting age is included because the change would be from "Every citizen 21 and older" to "Only citizens 21 and older."
In 1971, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, the Legislature changed Iowa Code to allow 18-year-olds to vote.
After all, if "every citizen age 21 and older" can vote, that doesn't mean younger citizens, or non-citizens, can't vote.