A new undercover video from O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) reveals that non-citizens are allegedly being told they can vote in Philadelphia as long as they are residents, despite laws prohibiting non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections.
The video shows an election official and a local nongovernmental organization (NGO) discussing non-citizen voting in ways that conflict with Pennsylvania’s requirements for voter eligibility.
Milton Jamerson, an Election and Voter Registration Clerk from the Philadelphia City Commissioners Office, reportedly told an undercover OMG journalist that non-citizens who reside in Philadelphia are allowed to vote in local elections.
This statement directly contradicts the city’s official guidelines, which state on the Philadelphia City Commissioners Office website that voters must be “citizens of the United States for at least one month before the next election.”
Before speaking to Jamerson, the undercover journalist visited a Philadelphia-based NGO called “Ceiba,” located near the City Commissioners Office.
Ceiba staff reportedly claimed that non-citizens with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) could legally vote.
The organization explained that ITINs, which are issued by the IRS, are used by individuals who are required to file U.S. tax returns but don’t qualify for a Social Security number.
According to Ceiba’s website, the organization is Philadelphia’s only community group authorized by the IRS to help individuals apply for an ITIN.
However, an ITIN does not grant voting rights. Under Pennsylvania law, only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in federal and state elections.
The Associated Press clarifies that Pennsylvania’s constitution requires voters to have been U.S. citizens for at least one month before an election, in addition to meeting state residency and district requirements.
Moreover, non-citizens who register to vote or cast ballots in federal elections risk penalties under a 1996 federal law, which could include deportation, fines, and up to a year in prison.
Historically, Pennsylvania has faced issues with non-citizen registration. In 2017, a loophole in the state’s motor vehicle licensing process allowed some non-citizens to register to vote when obtaining a driver’s license.
The state closed the loophole that year after discovering that 544 ballots may have been cast illegally by non-citizens since 2000, as confirmed by state election officials.
Despite Ceiba’s claims about ITIN holders, any non-citizen who attempts to vote in Pennsylvania could face severe legal consequences.
The situation underscores the importance of verifying voter eligibility and ensuring clarity on who is legally entitled to vote in U.S. elections.