The New York Times has recently highlighted how the Democratic Party’s immigration policies are poised to reshape the U.S. electorate ahead of the upcoming election. In an article published on Monday, the Times praised the efficiency gains in the naturalization process, noting that this surge in processing new citizens could play a decisive role in the outcome of the election.

Xiao Wang, Chief Executive of Boundless, a company that analyzes immigration trends and assists immigrants with the application process, told the Times, “The surge in naturalization efficiency isn’t just about clearing backlogs; it’s potentially reshaping the electorate, merely months before a pivotal election. Every citizenship application could be a vote that decides Senate seats or even the presidency.”

The article underscores the broader implications of these developments, particularly as the naturalization process becomes more streamlined under the current administration. The Times pointed out that while the article did not clarify whether the individuals being processed had entered the U.S. legally or illegally, it did acknowledge the long-standing partisan divide over immigration, particularly concerning how to address illegal immigration and reform the nation’s immigration laws.

The Times contrasted the current administration’s approach with that of the Trump administration, which, according to the article, significantly slowed down the naturalization process by conducting more extensive reviews of applications. This slowdown, the Times claims, prevented approximately 300,000 prospective citizens from voting in the 2020 election.

With nine million green-card holders eligible for citizenship and many historically leaning Democratic, the article suggests that Democrats could gain a significant electoral advantage, particularly in key states like Florida. Florida, traditionally a Republican stronghold, has a significant number of immigrants who qualify for citizenship. The article also notes that Florida is home to an estimated 772,000 illegal immigrants, which further complicates the political landscape in the state.

Vice President Kamala Harris, during a recent campaign event, reiterated the Democratic stance on immigration reform, stating, “We know our immigration system is broken, and we know what it takes to fix it. Comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.”

The Times article concludes by suggesting that Democrats are keenly aware of the electoral benefits of granting citizenship to a broader base of immigrants, especially as they aim to secure crucial votes in the upcoming election.