Commissioners adopt county resolution supporting 'citizens-only' voting amendment

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution expressing concern about noncitizen voting and endorsing state-level action to clarify voter eligibility.

Commissioner Detherich presented a short resolution titled a 'Resolution acknowledging that allowing noncitizens to vote is a threat to our democracy' and linked the county statement to support for House Bill 1074, described in the meeting as the 'citizens only' constitutional amendment at the state level. Detherich argued federal enforcement actions by the Department of Justice have politicized voter-list maintenance and said the county should communicate support for the state legislature’s effort to require citizenship for voting.

Commissioners questioned the practical effect of a county resolution when the matter is already before the state electorate and requested language be tightened to reference the state bill. Some commissioners criticized the political tone; others said issuing a county resolution would reinforce state legislative action.

The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice/hand vote; discussion in the meeting suggested a 4–3 split. The resolution calls for the county to send copies to state and federal representatives and to other counties.

What’s next: County staff will distribute the adopted resolution to the county’s delegation and other jurisdictions per the motion.