You’ve probably heard the shouting matches on the news. One side claims millions of people are "pouring across the border" specifically to cast ballots and flip elections. The other side says the whole idea is a complete fairy tale, a total urban myth with zero basis in reality. Honestly, the truth is a lot more boring than a conspiracy theory, but way more complicated than a simple "it never happens."
When we talk about how many illegal immigrants vote, we’re stepping into a minefield of legal jargon, database errors, and genuine security concerns. People get heated because the stakes are massive. If even a few thousand people vote illegally in a swing state like Georgia or Arizona, it could, theoretically, change the leader of the free world. But how often does it actually happen?
Let’s look at the hard numbers and the systems that are supposed to stop this.
The Legal "Wall" Standing in the Way
First off, it’s basically a legal suicide mission for a non-citizen to try and vote in a federal election. Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, it is a federal crime for any non-citizen to vote for President or Congress.
We aren't just talking about a slap on the wrist. If you’re caught, you face:
- Up to a year in federal prison.
- Massive fines.
- Permanent deportation.
- A permanent ban on ever becoming a U.S. citizen.
For someone who has spent years and thousands of dollars trying to build a life here, risking everything for a single vote—which represents 0.0000001% of the total—is a terrible trade. Most immigrants, whether legal or undocumented, are hyper-aware of their status. They don't want to talk to a cop, let alone a federal election official.
Why the "Millions" Figure Pops Up
You might see viral posts claiming that because there are 11 million or 12 million undocumented people in the U.S., they must be voting. That’s a massive leap. Just because someone is in the country doesn’t mean they are on the voter rolls.
In most states, when you register to vote, you have to swear under penalty of perjury that you are a citizen. Many states now cross-reference these lists with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) data or Social Security records.
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What the State Audits Actually Found
Instead of guessing, we can look at what happens when state officials—some of whom are very concerned about this issue—actually go looking for illegal votes.
Take Georgia. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is a Republican who has been very vocal about election security. In late 2024, his office conducted a massive audit of the state’s 8.2 million registered voters.
The result? They found exactly 20 non-citizens on the rolls.
Out of those 20, only nine had actually cast a ballot. That’s nine people out of 8.2 million. To put that in perspective, you are significantly more likely to be struck by lightning twice than to be one of those nine people.
The Case of Ohio
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has also been aggressive about cleaning the rolls. In August 2024, his office identified 499 non-citizens who were registered to vote. Again, in a state with nearly 8 million voters, that is a fraction of a percent.
Now, these numbers aren't "zero," and that’s why the debate continues. Critics argue that even 500 votes could matter. But the idea that there's a coordinated effort involving millions of people just hasn't shown up in the data.
Where the Confusion Starts: The DMV and "Motor Voter" Laws
A lot of the "proof" people cite for non-citizen voting comes from the DMV. Many states have "Motor Voter" laws that automatically prompt you to register to vote when you get a driver's license.
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In some states, undocumented immigrants can get a driver's license (often marked "not for federal identification"). Sometimes, a distracted clerk or a glitchy computer system might accidentally offer a registration prompt to a non-citizen.
This is usually where those small numbers of non-citizens on the rolls come from. It’s rarely a "stealth mission" to subvert democracy; it’s more often a guy named Jose or Ivan at the DMV who clicks "Yes" because he doesn't understand the question or thinks he has to.
The Heritage Foundation vs. The Brennan Center
If you want to see how two groups can look at the same thing and see different worlds, look at these two.
The Heritage Foundation maintains an "Election Fraud Database." They’ve tracked roughly 1,500 "proven instances" of voter fraud over several decades. They use this to argue that the system is vulnerable.
On the flip side, the Brennan Center for Justice analyzed that same database. They pointed out that only a tiny sliver—about 41 cases over 40 years—involved non-citizens voting. They argue that when you spread 41 cases over billions of votes cast, it proves the system is actually incredibly secure.
Why Do People Keep Talking About This?
Political theater, mostly.
If you can convince people that the "other side" is cheating with illegal votes, it makes your base more energized. It also provides a ready-made excuse if a candidate loses a close race.
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But there’s also a nuance: local elections. A few places, like some municipalities in Maryland, Vermont, and San Francisco (for school boards), actually allow non-citizens to vote in local races. This is legal under their local charters.
However, these cities use separate ballots. A non-citizen voting for a local school board in San Francisco cannot legally get a ballot for the President. But when people see a headline saying "Non-citizens can vote in California," they often miss that distinction.
What's Being Done in 2026?
The landscape has shifted a bit. Many states are now pushing for "Documentary Proof of Citizenship" (DPOC) laws.
Basically, instead of just checking a box saying "I am a citizen," you’d have to show a birth certificate or passport right then and there. Supporters say this is the only way to be 100% sure. Opponents say this disenfranchises millions of actual U.S. citizens—especially low-income people or the elderly—who might not have easy access to those documents.
Real-World Actionable Steps
If you're concerned about the integrity of the vote or just want to be an informed citizen, here is what you can actually do:
- Check Your Own Status: Go to your Secretary of State's website. Make sure your registration is active and your address is correct. Purges happen, and sometimes legitimate voters get swept up.
- Volunteer as a Poll Worker: The best way to see how the sausage is made is to be in the room. You’ll see the ID checks, the signature matching, and the layers of security firsthand.
- Read the Audit Reports: Don’t rely on a 30-second clip from a pundit. Most states publish their "List Maintenance" reports. Look at the actual numbers of removals and why they happened.
- Understand Local vs. Federal: If you live in an area that allows non-citizen voting for local boards, learn how they separate the ballots. Knowledge is the best cure for anxiety.
The bottom line? While the number of illegal immigrants who vote is not zero, every piece of verifiable data we have suggests it is a microscopic phenomenon. The "millions" narrative makes for a great headline, but it just hasn't shown up at the ballot box.