Written by Michael Thompson.
The U.S. House Democrats recently made a bold move by supporting noncitizen voting in U.S. elections. This decision has sparked significant debate and concern among various political groups. The House voted on a bill proposed by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, aiming to block noncitizens from voting in District of Columbia local elections.
Pfluger’s bill seeks to repeal a 2022 law that allows noncitizens to vote in local elections and explicitly prohibits such practices in D.C. The bill passed with a 262-143 vote, supported by 52 Democrats and 210 Republicans. However, a majority of Democrats, 143 in total, opposed the bill. This split decision reflects the contentious nature of the issue.
The bill was introduced following the Washington D.C. City Council’s nearly unanimous vote in October 2022 to allow noncitizens to participate in local elections starting in 2024. The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, supported by 12 of the 13 city council members and signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser, mandates congressional review. It permits green-card holders and undocumented residents to vote if they are at least 18 years old and have lived in the district for 30 days.
The Legal and Social Ramifications
The push to allow noncitizen voting in D.C. came after Mayor Bowser declared a state of emergency due to the influx of illegal foreign nationals, blaming the governors of Texas and Arizona for the crisis. At the time, approximately 51,000 noncitizens resided in D.C., according to the Migration Policy Institute, within a total population of nearly 680,000.
An attempt to block the law was made by seven D.C. residents and U.S. citizens who sued. However, in March, District Judge Amy Jackson dismissed their efforts, ruling they lacked standing. This decision came just two months before Congress voted on Pfluger’s bill.
In his floor statement, Pfluger criticized the D.C. City Council’s decision as “short-sighted,” allowing noncitizens, including illegal aliens and foreign agents, to vote in local elections. He noted that officials were actively encouraging noncitizens to vote for key positions such as the mayor and members of the State Board of Education. This move, he argued, undermines the integrity of democratic elections that influence taxation, the criminal code, and local governance.
Arguments and Opposition
Critics of noncitizen voting, like Pfluger, argue that allowing noncitizens to vote dilutes the voting power of legitimate residents, many from underserved communities. He pointed out that noncitizens do not meet residency requirements, do not pay taxes, and in some cases, entered the country illegally. These individuals, he suggested, could be influenced by foreign adversaries, posing a threat to the integrity of U.S. elections.
Pfluger stated, “It was inconceivable that the D.C. City Council or any city council would intentionally dilute the voting power of their constituents for noncitizens who otherwise would not meet residency requirements, don’t pay taxes, in some cases broke our laws to enter this country, and could even be employed by a foreign adversary.” He emphasized that as the capital of democracy, D.C. should prioritize secure and safe elections rather than incentivizing practices that adversaries might exploit.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to address similar concerns on a broader scale. This measure, supported by several cosponsors, responds to the border crisis and the increasing number of undocumented foreign nationals. Supporters of the SAVE Act express alarm that these individuals might be registered to vote instead of being deported.
Our Take
The decision by House Democrats to support noncitizen voting is alarming. From a politically conservative perspective, this move jeopardizes the integrity of U.S. elections and undermines the principles of citizenship and lawful participation. Allowing noncitizens to vote dilutes the influence of legitimate voters and poses a risk to the democratic process.
Critics rightly argue that those who do not meet residency requirements, do not pay taxes, or have entered the country illegally should not have a say in local governance. This policy could lead to the manipulation of elections by foreign influences, compromising national security and public trust.
The push for noncitizen voting in D.C. reflects a broader agenda that prioritizes inclusivity over legality and security. Such measures erode the foundation of our democratic system, where voting is a privilege and responsibility of citizens who abide by the laws of the land. It is essential to uphold the integrity of our elections by ensuring that only lawful citizens participate in the electoral process.
