NEWYou can now listen to articles from a reputable source!
EXCLUSIVE: Senate Republicans, led by Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, are preparing to use their federal oversight powers to push Washington, D.C., to put an end to what they see as a risky experiment of allowing illegal immigrants and noncitizens to participate in local elections.
This move comes after reports revealed that around 400 noncitizens voted in the 2024 general election in the district, with about 100 also participating in the primary.
While federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections, state and local jurisdictions have the authority to allow them to vote in lower-tier elections, which is the case in Washington, D.C.
Congress has the constitutional power to oversee the governance of the District on any matter, including local affairs and the reversal of council-passed laws.
Britt’s proposed legislation aims to prevent noncitizens from voting in District elections and revoke the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which authorized noncitizen voting in municipal elections.
“This isn’t just about local issues. This is about the future of our nation’s capital,” Britt stated.
“In a city that represents democracy at its highest level, the D.C. City Council made a conscious choice to go against one of democracy’s fundamental principles. This is disrespectful to every American citizen, regardless of where they reside, as they should be the sole decision-makers in every election and at every level of government.”
“I am optimistic that we will receive bipartisan support in the Senate for this common-sense bill — it is our responsibility to safeguard the votes of hardworking American citizens and those who have legally immigrated to our country and completed the naturalization process. Ultimately, this is about preserving the integrity of our elections.”
Noncitizen voters, such as Ana Lemus from El Salvador, have expressed their reasons for voting in local elections, citing concerns about wealth inequality and police brutality among other issues.
While Britt’s bill currently only has Republican co-sponsors, Rep. August Pflueger from Texas is leading a similar effort in the House with about 50 Democratic supporters.
Aside from Washington, D.C., certain communities in Maryland, New York, Vermont, and even California in specific school board races allow illegal immigrant voting.
The first city to permit this was Takoma Park, Maryland, in 1992, with current Rep. Jamie Raskin playing a role in that initiative.
