When you think of voter fraud or noncitizen voting, you might imagine it’s widespread. At least, that’s what some politicians want you to believe. But what’s the reality? In South Texas, the myth of noncitizen voting has gripped the region, leading to startling incidents like the one involving Cecilia Castellano, a third-generation Mexican American and local Democratic candidate. Let’s dive into what happened to her and why this narrative of noncitizen voting is more about intimidation than integrity.
What Really Happened in South Texas?
Imagine waking up to the sound of the police banging on your door, accusing you of a crime you didn’t commit. That’s exactly what happened to Cecilia Castellano on August 20th. Her only “crime”? Running a campaign and knocking on doors to win votes in her bid for the Texas State House. But under the pretext of enforcing Texas’s S.B. 1 law, she became the target of a raid looking for “vote harvesting.”
Vote harvesting refers to the practice of collecting and delivering absentee ballots on behalf of others. While it’s legal in some contexts, S.B. 1, championed by Governor Greg Abbott and enforced by controversial Attorney General Ken Paxton, has made the practice a focal point in their effort to supposedly stop noncitizen voting.
But here’s the kicker: noncitizen voting is already illegal under both state and federal law, and instances of it are vanishingly rare. Castellano herself calls the law’s enforcement a clear case of voter intimidation. “All I’ve done is knock on doors,” she said. Yet, her case has become a flashpoint in a much larger debate.
The Myth of Noncitizen Voting
Despite the narrative pushed by some, noncitizen voting is far from the widespread problem certain politicians claim. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly made baseless claims that illegal immigrants are casting votes en masse to swing elections for Democrats. However, research and data consistently show that this simply isn’t the case.
- In the 2016 election, the Brennan Center for Justice found that fewer than 0.0001% of votes were cast by suspected noncitizens.
- Sean Morales-Doyle, a voting rights expert, pointed out that the risk for noncitizens to vote is simply too high. The penalties are severe: prison time, fines, and deportation.
Yet, despite these facts, Texas and other GOP-led states are using the fear of noncitizen voting to justify mass purges of their voter rolls. Since 2021, Texas alone has removed over a million names from the voter rolls, thanks to S.B. 1.
Voter Intimidation in Latino Communities
Now, let’s be clear: this crackdown isn’t happening everywhere. It’s particularly focused on areas like South Texas, where Latino voters are the majority. Why? Castellano believes it’s an intentional strategy to suppress Latino votes by sowing fear in these communities.
When ABC News asked Castellano about the disproportionate targeting of Latino areas, she didn’t mince words: “They’re trying to intimidate the Latinos.” And this isn’t an isolated incident. Several prominent Latino leaders in Texas have faced similar scrutiny under Paxton’s vote-harvesting probe.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
At its core, the myth of noncitizen voting is being weaponized to make it harder for eligible voters—especially minorities—to cast their ballots. This kind of voter suppression tactic isn’t new, but it’s growing more sophisticated. By purging voter rolls and intimidating communities, states like Texas are undermining the very essence of democracy.
While many politicians claim these actions are in the name of “election integrity,” the reality is quite the opposite. According to the Cato Institute, claims of widespread noncitizen voting are nothing more than “alarmist theorizing.” Even Republican election officials like those in Pennsylvania have admitted that noncitizen voting occurs “very, very, very infrequently.”
So, What Can You Do?
It’s easy to feel powerless when confronted with these systemic issues, but there are ways you can help protect the integrity of our elections:
- Stay informed: Misinformation is one of the biggest tools used to spread fear. Understand the facts and share them with your community.
- Know your rights: Voter intimidation, whether through police raids or subtle threats, is illegal. If you or someone you know is targeted, seek legal help immediately.
- Get involved: Support candidates who stand up for voting rights and challenge laws that make it harder for people to vote.
- Vote: Despite efforts to suppress the vote, it’s more important than ever to participate in elections at every level, from local to national.
A Final Word
At the end of the day, the myth of noncitizen voting is exactly that: a myth. The real threat to our elections isn’t noncitizen voters; it’s the fear and intimidation tactics being used to keep certain groups from voting. Cecilia Castellano’s story is just one example of how these tactics are playing out in real-time. But as long as we stay informed, vigilant, and active in our communities, we can push back against these attempts to undermine our democracy.
