Vote! It Is Your Civic Responsibility!

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Shone Hughes
October 18, 2024

During times of economic uncertainty, natural disasters, wars, public health crisis and election season, conspiracy theories emerge. At this point in time, the United States is experiencing all of the above. Naturally, we as humans want to make sense of the world around us. In finding a community of like-minded individuals that provide comfort in times of uncertainties, some may rely on conspiracy theories to ease their mind. Nevertheless, conspiracy theories also lead to heightened anxiety, war and polarization. Essentially, conspiracy theories have a paradoxical effect on believers.

Conspiracy theories date back to the 19^th century when a letter was published offering an explanation for the UK support of the Confederacy. Twenty years later when then President James A. Garfield was assassinated conspiracy theories surrounding his death spread faster than press operators could crank the grasshopper press. During this time in history, the United States was spiritually divided over the racial and economic justice of formerly enslaved Black Americans.  

Today, the internet speed facilitates the rapid spread of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theorists use social media as a platform to spread their beliefs. Social media apps come pre-installed on mobile devices that we are heavily dependent on for information. While it is easy to simply uninstall a social media app, click away or block [political] web pages and keywords, but what do you do when it comes to your front door!

It’s a Saturday morning, I am heading outside to walk the dog. I hear two people talking on the other side of my door so, I checked my door cam. There were two ladies in live time chanting, “Send them back!” As they walked away chanting, I slowly opened my front door to find a flyer urging me to report “illegals” and vote as it is my civic duty. 

The anger expressed by American citizens over the influx of undocumented individuals and families has been expressed in city council and town hall meetings across the country. In a town hall meeting in Alabama, residents expressed concerns over undocumented individuals replacing the local labor and tax dollars being spent to teach English.

In New York, Florida, and a growing number of states, there are public safety concerns over the infestation of Tren de Aragua, a transnational Venezuelan gang. According to the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Americans do not feel that our government is doing its best to control the migrant influx. 

Outside of the civic conservations in city council and town hall meetings are conspiracy theories seeking to provide an explanation for the perceived government inaction. A recent conspiracy theory is that undocumented immigrants are being bused and housed to replace disenchanted traditional Democrat voters in the 2024 Presidential Election. Undocumented immigrants are casting mail-in ballots which is a tactic to allow noncitizens to vote without being detected. As bizarre as this conspiracy theory may sound, it is important to explore why Americans are gravitating to such notions to make sense of their world, and how it may impact voting behaviors.

Plausible Explanations

Studies indicate that undocumented immigrants support and are attracted to the United States progressive policies such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), immigrant’s access to social service programs, and eligibility for a driver’s license. For centuries the United States, the land of milk and honey, has welcomed certain immigrants with open arms. According to Dr. Ron Hayduk, a Political Scientist, between 1776 to 1924, noncitizens who were white, male and property owners were permitted to vote in federal and state elections, and local elections in 33 states. During this time, the country’s goal was to attract certain families for labor so voting rights were just one of the incentives extended to immigrants.

Today 41 percent of American citizens with upper middle income are worried about high inflation reflected in rising food, housing and fuel costs. Fifty-five percent of American citizens with middle income are concerned about their ability to pay for basic needs such as medical care. A growing concern among American citizens with varied incomes are access to social services and health care. Program managers at not for profit and nonprofit organizations are troubled over the resource strain caused by the rapid increase in undocumented immigrant clients.

Re-established Noncitizen Voting Rights

Three years ago, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Boston were several municipalities that were in favor of noncitizen voting in local elections. Today, three cities in Vermont and Washington, DC noncitizens are allowed to vote in local elections. The large presence of undocumented immigrants has influenced voting laws and bills introduced on noncitizen voting. Since 1924, noncitizens were prohibited from voting in state and federal elections. Despite laws and procedures in place to detect and prevent noncitizen voting in state and federal elections, the recent push for noncitizen voting in local elections and economic uncertainty may attribute to the belief that noncitizens will vote in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Conspiracy theories thrive in times of economic uncertainties and dissatisfaction in the government. The discussions around noncitizen voting are connected to issues of representation, rights and resources of legal tax paying citizens. As I close this column, I forewarn you to avoid the dark and spooky places of the internet. Instead, check your voter’s registration card and government issued identification to ensure your information is up to date, and vote because it is your civic responsibility!

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 Author: Shone Hughes is an Assistant Professor in the College of Public Service at Tennessee State University. Shone’s research focuses on social equity, program evaluation, and health policy. Shone can be contacted at [email protected].

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