H.R.884 - An Act To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 884 aims to prohibit non-citizens from voting in District of Columbia elections and repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. This bill seeks to ensure that only United States citizens can participate in elections within the District of Columbia. The bill passed the House of Representatives and was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of H.R. 884 would be to restrict voting rights in the District of Columbia to only U.S. citizens. This would reverse the policy established by the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which allowed non-citizen residents to vote in local elections. The change would impact the composition of the electorate in local D.C. elections.
Potential Benefits
- Reinforces the concept of civic participation being tied to citizenship.
- May reduce potential for foreign influence in local elections.
- Aligns D.C. voting laws more closely with federal elections.
- Could increase confidence in election integrity among some citizens.
- Addresses concerns about the dilution of citizen voting power.
Potential Disadvantages
- Disenfranchises non-citizen residents who contribute to the D.C. community.
- May decrease voter turnout in local D.C. elections.
- Could alienate immigrant communities within the District of Columbia.
- Potentially undermines local control over electoral policies.
- May face legal challenges based on equal protection arguments.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. While the Constitution does not explicitly define who can vote in local elections, Article I, Section 2, specifies that members of the House of Representatives are chosen by the "People of the several States," with electors having the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature. The 14th Amendment addresses citizenship and equal protection, but its application to local non-citizen voting is subject to interpretation. The power of Congress to legislate for the District of Columbia under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, grants it broad authority, but this is balanced against potential equal protection concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).