Accidental Voter..Permanent Resident..

[vosnmars 25]

It unfortunately does matter, and should have consequences down the line for citizenship if not also be an deportable offense that results in jail time. Did your USC spouse not inform you of your restrictions? As citizens, Americans should have a greater proactive responsibility in protecting their foreign spouses statuses from ill-informed mistakes. Registration by mistake can happen, and it's important to get yourself removed... however it will be compounded because then you actually voted. Prohibition of non citizens voting has been around largely in the law for a very long historical time, with only small exceptions in certain states when it comes to small town local elections but even this is rare. Getting yourself removed and confirmed removed in writing from any voting record may assist but this would be something for an experienced attorney especially since you went through on the act.

I completely agree with this. Any time my husband has to go to any government office or do anything, I either went with him or reminded him what to do and say. If he was asked about citizenship or voting he would always answer correctly, but if I was there I would still very clearly say no at the same time so there was no confusion. Certainly if he were to ever get anything in the mail for voter registration, I would have stopped that immediately.

[Hypnos 6,578]

I received a letter reminding me to register to vote about a year ago. I think it was from the Secretary of State's office down in Austin. I got somewhat concerned, but knew that I had never claimed to be a US citizen anywhere because I always double, triple, quadruple check that anytime I apply for anything because I know the severe consequences it can have.

I contacted the local elections supervisor at the county courthouse and confirmed that I wasn't registered to vote, and had never made an application to do so (which I knew I hadn't). This is definitely something all non-US citizens should be aware of, and indeed, it's mentioned in the literature all aliens are sent when they are approved for LPR status. How many actually read it as opposed to just throwing it in the trash I wonder...

[Sandra G. 5,075]

You are screwed, read here what the Board of Immigration Appeals says about an LPR voting.

http://www.law360.com/articles/653234/noncitizen-can-be-deported-for-voting-in-ignorance-bia-says

Edited November 9, 2016 by sandranj

[Neonred 3,648]

Remember as a green card holder you can vote in state and local elections, just not in US elections. That is likely why you are registered to vote.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Neonred

[Dutchster 1,107]

I received a letter reminding me to register to vote about a year ago. I think it was from the Secretary of State's office down in Austin. I got somewhat concerned, but knew that I had never claimed to be a US citizen anywhere because I always double, triple, quadruple check that #### anytime I apply for anything because I know the severe consequences it can have.

I contacted the local elections supervisor at the county courthouse and confirmed that I wasn't registered to vote, and had never made an application to do so (which I knew I hadn't). This is definitely something all non-US citizens should be aware of, and indeed, it's mentioned in the literature all aliens are sent when they are approved for LPR status. How many actually read it as opposed to just throwing it in the trash I wonder...

They can send you a reminder of voting registration? So what if they do send that for example, I call the county clerk/wherever and tell them I'm not eligible to vote?

[Boiler 46,152]

Remember as a green card holder you can vote in state and local elections, just not in US elections. That is likely why you are registered to vote.

Nope

[QueenComley 295]

Incorrect

Remember as a green card holder you can vote in state and local elections, just not in US elections. That is likely why you are registered to vote.

[f f 725]

according to Wikipedia (best source ever) there are 6 places a non citizen can vote and they are all in Maryland. and they are only for local elections. personally I wouldn't even if I was in one of those places just cause of how bad one little mistake could become.

[agrabs 246]

according to Wikipedia (best source ever) there are 6 places a non citizen can vote and they are all in Maryland. and they are only for local elections. personally I wouldn't even if I was in one of those places just cause of how bad one little mistake could become.

Interesting!

OP's profile states missouri so probably not going to help.

[lilygracexx 22]

Only American Citizens are allowed to vote. If you are only a permanent resident and voted, you will be ineligible for citizenship.

[Aila 8]

I'm sorry that these happens to you. This is a stupid mistake (no offense), an honest mistake (considering that you are new). We are from the same country and I'm sure that you know that only citizens are allowed to vote (Phil.). you should have at least assumed that its the same in USA. I understand at that time you are new and lacks knowledge to rules,laws etc. but it's not an excuse, you came to US and it's your responsibility to educate yourself about their system and culture. if it was me, even if the DMV said yes that I can vote (in spite of showing mg LPR card and NSO birth. cert.). I would have at least doubted him/her and ask my USC husband instead. Let's just say he's not there. I still wouldn't register. My rule is; be very cautious and smart when you are registering and make sure to read before signing up especially if you are disclosing your private/personal information. It's a general rule but again this is just me.

Did you even told your husband that you register to vote? Cause i'm pretty sure that he knows that you cant. What makes this worst is that you actually voted.

Like what others said these will affect your citizenship and I know that these doesn't answer your question but i hope that you'll be very extra careful next time and find a way to fix this.

Sorry and Good Luck

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I'm sorry that these happens to you. This is a stupid mistake (no offense), an honest mistake (considering that you are new). We are from the same country and I'm sure that you know that only citizens are allowed to vote (Phil.). you should have at least assumed that its the same in USA. I understand at that time you are new and lacks knowledge to rules,laws etc. but it's not an excuse, you came to US and it's your responsibility to educate yourself about their system and culture. if it was me, even if the DMV said yes that I can vote (in spite of showing mg LPR card and NSO birth. cert.). I would have at least doubted him/her and ask my USC husband instead. Let's just say he's not there. I still wouldn't register. My rule is; be very cautious and smart when you are registering and make sure to read before signing up especially if you are disclosing your private/personal information. It's a general rule but again this is just me.

Did you even told your husband that you register to vote? Cause i'm pretty sure that he knows that you cant. What makes this worst is that you actually voted.

Like what others said these will affect your citizenship and I know that these doesn't answer your question but i hope that you'll be very extra careful next time and find a way to fix this.

Sorry and Good Luck

I don't think my husband would have known... it really is down to the immigrant to protect themselves from mistakes like this. Another example would be young men not knowing to sign up for selective service.

[Aila 8]

The fiancé/husband is an american by blood so I am assuming that he knows that ONLY usc can vote. But maybe yes i''m wrong he doesn't know like what you said about your husband. But you are bringing a person to marry and live permanently from a different country so it is both your responsibility to know the process and the system.

[Jawaree 718]

Yes yrs ago it was easy to register to vote, and some did, but actually going to vote they did not

why would you actually vote, it seem like since 9/11 this is one of the the things even a kid knows,

also that one does not tick that they are a USC (if not) or register to vote.

A young lady signed up in the Mall with friends, she was 18 yrs a LPR who attended middle school

up here.........In her late 20s she applied for citizenship, somehow they knew she registered although

never voted...she could not be a citizen, after many $s, affidavit from her school pals, and her mom

helping her to prove to USCIS thru a good atty she was able to naturalize, she was almost put into

removal when she applied for citizenship...this was pre 9/11

Its not a good look for you

[bkghosh 121]

Hi Everyone,

I am now in the process of removing condition on my residency. I just recently found out that as a permanent resident I cant register to vote and vote. When I got my driver's license 2 years ago they asked me at Motor Vehicle if I want to register to vote even I presented my birth certificate and green card as an identification so I asked if I still can register she said yes..so I went ahead and registered. Last Primary election I went and vote, thinking since they sent me my voter's ID i am eligible to vote. It was just yesterday when I thought of looking up online and found out that what I did was a big mistake. I rushed to my County Clerk's office and cancelled my regiatration. I will go back Friday after the election to get some sort of letter that will confirm that I cancelled my regiatration, history of my voting and copy of my registration form. My question is how this event will affect my on going Removal of Condition Process? And what else can I do? Does anybody here experienced this too? Please help...i'm really freaking out reading the stuff on the internet that my petition could be denied and I could face deportation.

You did the right thing by promptly de-registering yourself from the voter roll. Keep those letters/forms/documents safe. When you apply for Naturalization, of course you will select the right option in the N-400 form in Part 12 where it asks "if you ever registered to vote in any Federal, state, or local elections in the United States?" by selecting YES and then explaining what happened, with an attached cover letter.

Some states and city councils have been drafting legislations allowing LPRs to be able to vote in local elections (definitely not Federal elections). As of last year, New York city I believe wanted to allow LPRs (even illegal aliens) to vote in local elections. I am not sure what happened to that draft resolution. Missouri for sure requires citizenship as a requirement for registering to vote.

http://nypost.com/2016/02/22/new-bill-could-give-illegal-aliens-voting-rights-in-new-york-city/

Edited November 9, 2016 by bkghosh