While election night proved devastating for Republicans, the midterm results showed some states voting to protect the security of the democratic process. Ballot measures to maintain election integrity have been adopted in eight states, policies largely associated with the conservative school of thought, despite the overwhelming blue wave election results.

The states of Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia will now require voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. Ballot Measure 3 in Alaska will change the state law so that only a person with U.S. citizenship can vote in elections. Initiatives in Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia will codify the requirement that voters are citizens of the country to participate in elections in each respective state’s constitution. 

West Virginia’s Amendment 1 passed overwhelmingly with 79.3% of voters in favor of proof of citizenship to vote and 20.7% against, according to NBC News. Senator Patricia Rucker (R-W.Va.), who sponsored the amendment, explained it “would ensure that no future legislature could just simply change the election law with only a bill.” She added, “It also gives us greater authority to enforce the law we currently have in place.”

In a written statement to News From the States on Tuesday night, Rucker said she was “proud that West Virginia’s voters chose to protect the integrity of our elections tonight with their yes vote on Amendment 1.”

“The right to vote, especially as (a) naturalized United States citizen, is something I hold close to my heart,” Rucker continued. “Tonight’s result ensures that all West Virginians can be confident that only United States citizens are participating in our elections, and that can’t be changed by any future Legislature or city deciding otherwise. This amendment strengthens our elections and helps preserve the freedoms we all hold dear.”

Kansas shows similar statistics, with 63.6% voting in favor of a proof of citizenship requirement to vote and 36.4% against. This comes at the same time the Sunflower State has elected its first Democrat to the United States Senate in 94 years. The Associated Press called the race for Adam Hamilton, who defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. Hamilton is a pastor belonging to the United Methodist denomination, a group that affirms homosexuality amongst other unbiblical ideas.

A similar trend may emerge in Alaska, where the state passed a proof of citizenship measure while the Democratic Senate candidate may also see victory. Mary Peltola currently has a slight edge over Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, after allegations emerged against Peltola and her team of stacking the ballot. But final results of the Alaska Senate race were not yet confirmed at press time.

In Arizona, Proposition 144 would require proof of citizenship and voter ID to cast a ballot. It is uncertain whether the measure will pass yet, with 46.8% of the vote in favor, and 53.2% against, as more votes are counted. 

Amendments to the state constitutions codifying a requirement for voter ID photo identification have also been adopted in Nevada, Ohio, and North Carolina. 

Matt Carpenter, director of FRC Action, told The Washington Stand that these measures are a win for the GOP amidst the blue wave. 

“One bright spot for conservatives was the success of these ballot initiatives. Ever since the 2020 election, the Republican base has been highly motivated by election integrity issues. Of note is the fact that now voters in the key battleground states of Ohio, Nevada, and North Carolina will be required to present proof of identification before casting a ballot,” he explained. 

“While that didn’t seem to help Republican candidates last night, it is still a good sign for the party that improving election integrity is broadly popular in these important states,” Carpenter added.