Conversations about noncitizen voting is growing louder as some states begin legislative efforts before the November elections.
Congress passed legislation in 1996 that prohibited noncitizens from voting in elections for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and presidential elections. This federal law states that it is unlawful for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, but it did not refer to elections on the state or local level and left states to decide for themselves.