Georgia lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would explicitly bar non-U.S. citizens from voting in any election held in the state, potentially sending the question to voters in November.
Senate Resolution 4EX, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal and nine GOP colleagues, was introduced June 17 and referred to the Senate Ethics Committee. The two-page proposal would add one sentence to the Georgia Constitution: “No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people.” WALB reported that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supports the measure.
Georgia already limits voting eligibility to U.S. citizens. Article II of the state Constitution says every U.S. citizen who meets age, residency and other requirements is entitled to vote, while the Secretary of State’s registration guidance lists citizenship as a requirement. The amendment would make the prohibition explicit and harder to change.
Raffensperger said his office has conducted two citizenship audits since 2022 and is carrying out a third. Georgia uses Department of Driver Services records to identify potentially ineligible registrants and checks those cases through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program.
A 2024 statewide audit found 20 noncitizens among roughly 8.2 million registered voters. Nine had previously voted, 11 had no voting history and 156 additional cases required investigation. The findings showed documented cases existed but represented a tiny share of the voter roll.
To reach the ballot, the resolution must receive two-thirds support in both legislative chambers. A majority of voters would then have to approve it for the language to become part of the Constitution.
