{"id":351500,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-noncitizens-vote-in-the-united-states.html"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:29:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:29:30","slug":"can-noncitizens-vote-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-noncitizens-vote-in-the-united-states.html","title":{"rendered":"Can Noncitizens Vote in the United States?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can Noncitizens Vote in the United States?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Noncitizens cannot vote in federal elections<\/span> for president, Senate, or House of Representatives<\/span>, with federal law<\/span> prohibiting all noncitizen voting<\/span> in these races regardless of immigration status. Most states and cities also ban noncitizen voting<\/span>, though a few municipalities<\/span> in California<\/span>, Maryland<\/span>, Vermont<\/span>, and Washington, D.C., allow certain noncitizens to vote in specific local elections<\/span>. Voting illegally can result in criminal charges and immigration consequences.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a noncitizen living in the United States, understanding your voting rights<\/span> can be confusing. The rules differ across elections, and local laws vary. Your immigration status, where you live, and the type of election all play a role in determining your voting eligibility<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In this article, you will learn about the elections that noncitizen voters<\/span> cannot participate in, where limited voting rights<\/span> exist, and the legal risks for voting when you are ineligible to vote. If you have questions about how your immigration status affects your voting rights<\/span>, contact an\u00a0immigration attorney<\/a>. You can also contact a civil rights attorney<\/a> who can help you understand and protect your right to vote.<\/p>\n

Federal Elections<\/span>: Only U.S. Citizens<\/span> Can Vote<\/h2>\n

In federal elections<\/span>, including general election<\/span> races for president, the U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives<\/span>, only U.S. citizens<\/span> may vote. Federal law<\/span> makes it unlawful for non-<\/span>U.S. citizens<\/span> to cast ballots<\/span> in these elections.<\/p>\n

The Illegal Immigration<\/span> Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act<\/span> of 1996<\/a> criminalizes voting by noncitizens in any federal election<\/span>. This applies to lawful permanent residents<\/span>, U.S. visa holders, and undocumented immigrants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The law also provides two limited exceptions. First, a noncitizen may vote on a non-federal matter in a mixed election, but only if state or local law authorizes them to do so, and only if the voting on that local matter is conducted completely separately from the federal ballot portion.<\/p>\n

The second exception is a narrow defense. The prohibition does not apply if all three of the following conditions are present:<\/p>\n