Can a green card holder vote in any election?

Not in federal or state elections. A small number of municipalities allow noncitizen residents to vote in certain local races only, such as school board or municipal elections. That is a local rule, and it never extends to federal or state contests. Check with your local election office before assuming your city is one of them.

Can a lawful permanent resident serve on a jury?

No. Federal jury service requires U.S. citizenship, and state jury systems generally draw from voter and licensed driver lists with a citizenship requirement of their own. If a summons arrives, do not ignore it. Follow the instructions on the form for people who are not qualified.

Can a green card holder give money to a campaign?

The Federal Election Commission does not count a lawful permanent resident as a foreign national, so a green card holder is eligible to contribute. Noncitizens who are not permanent residents are foreign nationals and are barred from contributing in federal, state, or local elections.

Can a noncitizen work for the federal government?

Usually not in the competitive service, which is generally open to U.S. citizens and nationals. Agencies can hire noncitizens under narrow exceptions when no qualified citizen is available and the law allows it. Read the "this job is open to" section of each posting.

Can a permanent resident join the military?

Yes. USA.gov states that U.S. citizens and some noncitizens can join, and that a noncitizen must have a Permanent Resident Card and must speak, read, and write English fluently. You cannot join to enter the United States or to get a visa.

Why do so many of these answers say it varies by state?

Because most of civic life is governed by state and local law. Elections, jury pools, board qualifications, and petition rules are all set by states and cities. Anyone who gives you one national answer on those items is guessing.

What Requires U.S. Citizenship and What Does Not

The short answer

Voting in federal and state elections, serving on a jury, holding a U.S. passport, running for Congress, and most federal jobs require U.S. citizenship. Attending public meetings, giving public comment, contacting officials, joining a union, and commenting on federal rules do not. A third group varies by state, and those are the ones people guess wrong.

Last checked against USA.gov, FEC, and federal agency sources on August 18, 2026

A lawful permanent resident, an LPR, is a person with a green card. The table below sorts civic activities into three answers: yes it requires citizenship, no it does not, and it varies. That third column is not a hedge. Elections, jury pools, board qualifications, and petition rules are written by states and cities, so a single national answer would be false for most readers.

Read the notes column, not just the yes or no. Several rows turn on a distinction that matters, such as the difference between an advocacy petition and a ballot petition, or between a green card holder and another noncitizen under campaign finance rules.

Sorted by how often people ask about it. Where a rule is set by state or local law, the answer says so instead of guessing.
Activity	Requires U.S. citizenship	Notes
Voting in a federal election	Yes	President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House are closed to noncitizens, including green card holders.
Voting in a state election	Yes	Governor, state legislature, and statewide ballot measures are closed to noncitizens.
Voting in certain local elections	Varies	A small number of municipalities allow noncitizen residents to vote in local races only. This exists in a handful of places, the rules differ in each, and it never reaches federal or state contests. Ask your local election office.
Running for U.S. House or Senate	Yes	The Constitution requires seven years of citizenship for the House and nine years for the Senate.
Running for many state and local offices	Varies	Set by state constitution and state law. Most elected offices carry a citizenship or registered voter requirement. Check your secretary of state.
Serving on a jury	Yes	Federal jury service requires U.S. citizenship. State jury qualifications are set by state law.
Holding a U.S. passport	Yes	U.S. passports are issued to citizens and non-citizen nationals. A permanent resident travels on a passport from their country of citizenship plus a green card.
Most federal jobs	Yes	Competitive service jobs are generally open to U.S. citizens and nationals. Agencies may hire a noncitizen under narrow exceptions. Read the posting.
Many law enforcement jobs	Varies	Federal law enforcement positions generally require citizenship. State and local agencies set their own rules and they differ widely. Read the specific job announcement.
Military service	No	A noncitizen may enlist with a Permanent Resident Card and fluent English. Enlisting is not a way to enter the country or obtain a visa.
Attending a public meeting	No	City council, school board, and county board meetings are open to the public under state open meetings laws.
Giving public comment	No	Generally open to the public. Some bodies limit comment to residents of the district, which is a residency rule rather than a citizenship rule.
Contacting an elected official	No	Offices serve the people who live in the district. Casework and constituent services are not limited to voters.
Signing an advocacy petition	No	Petitions circulated by organizations, unions, and neighbors carry no citizenship requirement.
Signing a ballot petition	Varies	Petitions that place a measure or candidate on the ballot usually must be signed by registered voters, which means citizens. This is a state law question.
Donating to a campaign	Depends on status	The FEC does not treat a lawful permanent resident as a foreign national, so a green card holder is eligible to contribute. Other noncitizens are foreign nationals and are barred from contributions in federal, state, and local elections. Check the FEC rules first.
Volunteering for a campaign	Depends on status	Open to lawful permanent residents. Foreign nationals are also barred from participating in decisions involving election-related activities, so the restriction reaches past money.
Joining or supporting a union	No	Federal labor law protects the right of employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization and to act together over pay and working conditions.
Serving on an elected school board	Varies	An elected seat usually carries the same qualifications as other elected office in that state. Check your state education code or county elections office.
Serving on an appointed board or advisory commission	Varies	Some cities require only residency. Others require voter registration or citizenship. Set by state law and local charter, so call your city or county clerk and name the board.
Starting a nonprofit	No	A nonprofit is formed under state law and then applies to the IRS for recognition of tax exempt status. Check your state for who may serve as an incorporator or director.
Testifying at a public hearing	No	Legislative committees and agency hearings take testimony from members of the public. Sign-up and time limits are set by the body.
Commenting on a proposed federal rule	No	Federal agencies collect public comment through regulations.gov. Comments become part of the public record.

Sources for the rows above:

Source: USA.gov, Who can and cannot vote

Source: U.S. Courts, Juror qualifications, exemptions, and excuses

Source: Constitution Annotated, Article I Section 2

Source: Constitution Annotated, Article I Section 3

Source: USAJOBS Help Center, Employment of non-citizens

Source: USA.gov, Requirements to join the U.S. military

Source: Federal Election Commission, Foreign nationals

Source: National Labor Relations Board, Employee rights

Source: U.S. Department of State, Apply for a passport

Source: Internal Revenue Service, Charities and nonprofits

Source: regulations.gov

The Three Rows People Get Wrong

Local voting. Every so often a news story reports that a city has opened certain local elections to noncitizen residents. That is real in a handful of places and it is narrow. It applies to specific local races named in that city’s law, it does not apply to state or federal contests, and it has been challenged in court in some places. Do not act on a headline. Ask your county or city election office whether it applies to you, and get the answer for your own address.

Campaign money. The Federal Election Commission, the FEC, defines a foreign national as an individual who is not a U.S. citizen and not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Under that definition a green card holder is not a foreign national and is eligible to contribute. Everyone else in the noncitizen category is barred from contributions and donations in connection with any federal, state, or local election, and from participating in decisions involving election-related activities.

Jury summons. Noncitizens sometimes receive a jury summons because their name reached a court list. Receiving one is not a problem. Answering it as though you are a citizen is. Follow the instructions on the form for people who are not qualified, and keep a copy of what you sent.

Source: Federal Election Commission, Foreign nationals

Never claim to be a citizen on a form

Source: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8 Part K, False Claim to U.S. Citizenship

Where to Go Next

Questions people ask

Can a green card holder vote in any election?: Not in federal or state elections. A small number of municipalities allow noncitizen residents to vote in certain local races only, such as school board or municipal elections. That is a local rule, and it never extends to federal or state contests. Check with your local election office before assuming your city is one of them.
Can a lawful permanent resident serve on a jury?: No. Federal jury service requires U.S. citizenship, and state jury systems generally draw from voter and licensed driver lists with a citizenship requirement of their own. If a summons arrives, do not ignore it. Follow the instructions on the form for people who are not qualified.
Can a green card holder give money to a campaign?: The Federal Election Commission does not count a lawful permanent resident as a foreign national, so a green card holder is eligible to contribute. Noncitizens who are not permanent residents are foreign nationals and are barred from contributing in federal, state, or local elections.
Can a noncitizen work for the federal government?: Usually not in the competitive service, which is generally open to U.S. citizens and nationals. Agencies can hire noncitizens under narrow exceptions when no qualified citizen is available and the law allows it. Read the “this job is open to” section of each posting.
Can a permanent resident join the military?: Yes. USA.gov states that U.S. citizens and some noncitizens can join, and that a noncitizen must have a Permanent Resident Card and must speak, read, and write English fluently. You cannot join to enter the United States or to get a visa.
Why do so many of these answers say it varies by state?: Because most of civic life is governed by state and local law. Elections, jury pools, board qualifications, and petition rules are all set by states and cities. Anyone who gives you one national answer on those items is guessing.

This is not legal advice

We Are Americans Foundation provides civic education. We are not a law firm and nobody here is your attorney. This page explains official information in plain language and points you to the source so you can check it yourself. Immigration rules change, and the facts of your case matter. For advice about your situation, speak with an immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice.

You can find free and low cost help through the Department of Justice recognized organizations roster.