Can Green Card Holders Vote in U.S. Elections?
- Green Card holders cannot vote in federal, state, or most local elections until they become U.S. citizens.
- Only U.S. citizens have full political rights, including voting and running for public office.
- Some local jurisdictions, like Washington, D.C. and parts of California, allow limited noncitizen voting in local elections.
- Permanent residents still have important rights, including the ability to live, work, and travel freely in the U.S.
As the 2026 U.S. midterm elections draw nearer, permanent residents might wonder whether they can vote. However, Green Card holders should know that they cannot take part in a presidential, federal, or most state elections.
While their status allows them to enjoy many benefits that other immigrants do not have, permanent residents (and other U.S. noncitizens) cannot participate in most elections. Outside of a few cities, such as D.C., most Green Card holders wait until they become naturalized to vote in the U.S.
Can Green Card holders vote in U.S. elections?
No, Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents) cannot vote in U.S. elections. That applies to both 10-year and conditional 2-year Green Cards.
Who can vote in the U.S?
To vote in the U.S., you must be:
- A U.S. citizen or dual citizen living in the country or abroad
- At least 18 years old
- Registered to vote before your state’s registration deadline
Before registering, most states require voters to meet basic residency requirements. These guidelines vary by state, but federal law prohibits waiting periods longer than 30 days.
Most states allow 17- and 16-year-olds to preregister to vote in elections. Depending on their location, some eligible voters may be able to participate in primaries before their 18th birthday.
| 🗳️ Did you know? Naturalized citizens are eligible to vote in all general elections, including presidential ones. Find out what it takes to become a U.S. citizen. |
Who cannot vote in the U.S.?
People who generally cannot vote in the U.S. include:
- All noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents.
- Those who have a felony conviction, depending on the state in which they reside.
- Some people with disabilities, if a court rules that their condition renders them unable to understand voting.
American citizens living in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, cannot vote for a presidential candidate. They can, however, vote in the primaries.
Note that for Green Card holders and other immigrants on visas, there could be severe immigration consequences if you vote in an election that you were not permitted to.
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How does the government determine if someone is eligible to vote?
States have a variety of legal ways to verify whether somebody is eligible to vote. They can request driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, or other forms of identification. This helps voter registration workers confirm a person’s identity and citizenship status.
Some states also cross-reference voter registration information with data from other government agencies. For example, a voting agency can use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify someone’s eligibility. This database from USCIS allows government agencies to see a person’s immigration status when they apply for public benefits.
| ➡️ Important: The SAVE system verifies a voter’s citizenship using information from their Social Security record. Because of this, people who have recently naturalized should update their citizenship status with the Social Security Administration to ensure their voter records are accurate. |
Ultimately, voter verification rules differ across the country. While some states may require you to bring documents that prove your eligibility, others will simply ask citizens to attest under penalty of perjury.
What voting rights do Green Card holders have in the U.S.?
Green Card holders do not have the right to participate in federal or state elections. But depending on their location, some permanent residents can participate in local elections.
Why can’t Green Card holders vote in U.S. elections?
The U.S. Code explicitly mentions that foreign nationals cannot vote in any federal election. Before the 20th century, some states allowed noncitizens to cast ballots in state elections. However, no state law has given or restored this right since 1926.
While Green Card holders enjoy many civil protections, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 only codified citizens’ right to vote. Similarly, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 authorized states to use citizenship as an eligibility requirement.
The definitions of a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen are very different. The former are immigrants who can live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. They do not have full political rights until they become naturalized. American citizens can vote and run for public office because they owe permanent allegiance to the U.S., whether through birthright citizenship or naturalization.
Can Green Card holders vote in local elections?
Parts of California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., allow Green Card holders to vote in local elections. No other states let Green Card holders vote. Most states require voters to have U.S. citizenship to participate in local elections, but recent laws are increasing voting rights for permanent residents. For example, Washington, D.C., allows Green Card holders and foreign nationals to vote in local elections, including its mayoral race.
Since these rules are subject to change, check your local election laws before heading to the polls. The ability to vote locally does not grant you the right to cast a ballot in any state or federal election.
| 🗳️Curious to see if your state allows you to vote in local elections? The U.S. government has a portal where you can find your state and local election offices. Contact your designated site before heading to the polls. |
What other rights do Green Card holders have?
Green Card holders do not have the right to vote in most elections. However, they do enjoy many of the same rights and responsibilities that U.S citizens do, including:
- Owning property
- Requesting federal or state benefits, such as SNAP
- Traveling in and out of the country, without many restrictions or penalties
- Working for most U.S. employers
- Applying for a driver’s license or Social Security card
- Paying in-state tuition in some states
- Serving in most branches of the U.S. military
- Petitioning for select family members to immigrate to the U.S.
Green Card holder voting rights FAQs
Can you vote with a Green Card in the USA?
No, you cannot vote in the United States with a Green Card. Only U.S. citizens, including dual citizens and those living abroad, can vote in elections.
Can Green Card holders vote in Florida?
Green Card holders cannot vote in Florida at any level, including local, state, and federal elections.
As a permanent resident, can I vote?
No, permanent residents cannot vote in the U.S. If you’d like to vote, you need to become a citizen through the naturalization process.
What if I accidentally vote as a Green Card holder?
Regardless of whether you knew if it was legal or not, USCIS still considers accidental voting as a federal offense. In fact, doing so can result in deportation or bar you from naturalization.
What does “supporting the democratic form of government” mean?
“Supporting the democratic form of government” is one of the major requirements permanent residents must show to become U.S. citizens. This means embracing the principles of the U.S. Constitution, obeying the law, and respecting the electoral process.
How can Green Card holders become eligible to vote?
Green Card holders can vote only after they become U.S. citizens. That means they must successfully complete their application for naturalization, including passing the citizenship test.
Can naturalized U.S. citizens vote?
Yes, a person can vote after their swearing-in ceremony if they are naturalized.
Can those with derived citizenship vote in U.S. elections?
If a person derived their citizenship from a U.S. citizen parent prior to turning 18, they can vote. However, they will need to show proof of citizenship by having a U.S. passport.
Curious if you qualify to become a U.S. citizen or ready to pursue your Green Card? Our team of immigration attorneys can walk you through the naturalization process. Request a consultation today to learn more.
