Abraham Lincoln: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”

John Lewis: “The right to vote has and always will remain the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society.”

Lyndon B. Johnson: “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice…”

John Quincy Adams: “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

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We were struck by a Daily Caller article by Rebeka Zeljko titled, “‘I Have His Ashes’ Virginia Woman Claims Dem Governor Restored Voting Rights To Dead Felon“. In this article Rebecka writes,

Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger may have restored voting rights to a felon who has been dead for ten years.

Virginia resident Peggie Young claimed the governor’s office had sent her a letter restoring voting rights to a felon named Peter Alan Breton. In the Facebook post, Young described Breton as her “dear BFF,” who passed away in 2016.

“I don’t know what to say about this,” Young wrote in the post. “I received it yesterday, September 29, 2026. My dear BFF, Pete Breton, passed away in 2016. I have his ashes.”

“Is this perhaps how voter fraud begins? I’m so confused.”

The letter itself seemingly addressed Breton as the intended recipient, notifying him that Spanberger restored felons’ right to vote, ability to hold public office, to serve on a jury, and to be a notary. Notably, Spanberger restored virtually all rights to felons except for the “ability to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms.”

Read more.

We were also struck by how Iran’s Isamic Revolutionary Guard Corp is asking Americans to vote for Democrats.

WATCH: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from “DEATH TO AMERICA” to “VOTE DEMOCRAT”

The Law

Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, federal law strictly bans noncitizens from voting for federal offices like the President or members of Congress. State constitutions similarly restrict state-level voting (such as for Governor or state legislature) strictly to U.S. citizens.

Local Elections Exception

While no state allows noncitizen voting in statewide or federal races, a small number of municipalities in specific states allow noncitizens (which can include legal permanent residents, visa holders, or undocumented immigrants, depending on local ordinances) to vote in select local municipal races, such as for local school boards or town councils:

• California: Certain local school board elections allow noncitizen parent or guardian participation in cities like San Francisco and Oakland.
• Maryland: Over a dozen municipalities (such as Takoma Park, Hyattsville, and Greenbelt) permit noncitizens to vote in local municipal elections.
• Vermont: Cities such as Burlington, Montpelier, and Winooski allow noncitizens to vote in city-level municipal elections.
• Washington, D.C.: The District of Columbia allows noncitizen residents who meet residency requirements to vote in local municipal elections.
• Illinois: Chicago permits noncitizens (including parents or guardians) to vote in local school council elections.

State Bans

Most U.S. states explicitly ban noncitizens from voting in any local elections within their borders. Over 15 states (including Florida, Ohio, Arizona, and Alabama) have updated their state constitutions to explicitly prohibit noncitizen voting at all levels.

oting is legally restricted to citizens—and thus illegal for undocumented noncitizens—due to foundational legal principles, national sovereignty concepts, and statutory federal and state laws.

Key Legal & Conceptual Reasons

1. National Sovereignty and Civic Obligation: In constitutional republics like the United States, self-governance rests on political citizenship. Voting is viewed as the primary right and civic responsibility of citizens, who owe permanent allegiance to the country, serve on juries, and are subject to its constitutional duties.
2. Statutory Federal Banning: Under federal law—specifically the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (18 U.S.C. § 611)—it is a federal crime for any noncitizen to vote in federal elections (such as presidential or congressional races). Violations can result in criminal penalties, deportation, or permanent inadmissibility for U.S. citizenship.
3. Protection of Citizen Vote Power: Legal arguments against noncitizen voting emphasize that permitting noncitizens to participate dilutes the voting power of citizens who have completed the legal process of birthright or naturalized citizenship.
4. State Constitutional Mandates: While the U.S. Constitution sets floor requirements, state constitutions dictate voter eligibility for state offices (like Governor or state legislators). Every U.S. state constitution restricts voter eligibility for state elections strictly to U.S. citizens.

Official Election Information

For additional information on federal voter qualification standards or voter eligibility guidelines in your specific state or local jurisdiction:

• Consult the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for national voting guidelines.
• Check your regional Secretary of State office or official local election administration board for local voter registration criteria.

Time to get out the “legal” voters to determine our elections.

Without election integrety we can’t trust the results of any election at any level.

©2026 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.). All rights reserved.

RELATED ARTICLE: Republicans Must Either Vote in Droves or Kiss the Trump-GOP Agenda Goodbye