Of all the rights and responsibilities a U.S. citizen has, the right to vote is perhaps the most sacred. Voting is one of the most iconic ways any resident can make their voice heard. That’s never more true than in the Presidential Election every four years. This year, the United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 3.

With immigration being at the forefront of our nation’s concerns, many immigrants are wondering if they can cast their vote for the presidential candidate whose immigration views closely resemble their own. The answer depends on your immigration status.

Can You Vote in the 2016 Election?

If you are undocumented, then no, you cannot vote. Additionally, if you are here with a visa or even a permanent resident, you also are barred from voting. Only if you have become a U.S. citizen can you vote in the presidential election.

To vote legally in any election, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You cannot have a conviction for a disqualifying felony.
• You cannot have been declared “mentally incompetent” by a U.S. court.
• You must have met the residency requirements in the state you are living in (usually 30 days).

If you are a green card holder (permanent resident), you cannot participate in elections that are for U.S. citizens only, including the 2020 presidential election. However, you may be able to vote in certain elections that do not require that you be a U.S. citizen.

If you receive a driver’s license, be sure to check the citizenship requirements before registering to vote, as there are serious penalties for voting if you are not a U.S. citizen.

To learn more about citizenship through naturalization, contact an immigration attorney in this directory for guidance!