California Gov. Gavin Newsom inadvertently confirmed that undocumented immigrants are participating in U.S. elections, a claim previously dismissed as a right-wing conspiracy. Speaking on the Pivot podcast, Newsom expressed concerns about ICE enforcement at polling stations potentially deterring voter participation.
A 2024 study by Just Facts estimates that between 10% and 27% of non-citizen adults in the U.S. are illegally registered to vote. With over 19 million adult non-citizens residing in the country as of 2022, this translates to approximately two million to five million individuals potentially voting unlawfully. The study highlights that these numbers could influence election outcomes, including presidential and congressional races.
The findings challenge long-standing assertions by some political figures that undocumented immigrants do not vote. Critics argue that such practices undermine the integrity of democratic processes, raising urgent calls for reforms to ensure electoral accountability.