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 repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which previously allowed non-citizen residents to vote in local elections. The bill asserts that only United States citizens should participate in elections for public office or ballot initiatives in D.C. This action effectively reverses a prior decision by the D.C. government to expand voting rights to non-citizens.
The bill specifically targets the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-242), ensuring that any laws amended or repealed by it are restored to their pre-existing state. The House of Representatives passed the bill on June 10, 2025.
In essence, H.R. 884 seeks to standardize voting eligibility in D.C. to align with federal standards, restricting the franchise to U.S. citizens only.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of H.R. 884 will be to disenfranchise non-citizen residents of the District of Columbia from voting in local elections. This will reverse the policy established by the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
Consequently, the bill will likely spark debate regarding voting rights, local autonomy, and the representation of non-citizen residents. It may also lead to legal challenges based on equal protection arguments.
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 standards and practices.
- Could strengthen the perceived value and importance of U.S. citizenship.
- Potentially reduces administrative complexity by maintaining a single standard for voter eligibility.
Potential Disadvantages
- Disenfranchises tax-paying residents who contribute to the D.C. community but are not citizens.
- May reduce voter turnout in local elections.
- Could alienate non-citizen residents and decrease their engagement in local affairs.
- Potentially undermines the principle of local control and decision-making.
- May face legal challenges based on equal protection and voting rights arguments.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Constitution does not explicitly address the right of non-citizens to vote in local elections, leaving this matter largely to state and local control. Article I, Section 2 defines electors for the House of Representatives based on state qualifications for the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
However, the bill could be argued as consistent with the general understanding that voting is a privilege of citizenship. The 14th Amendment addresses citizenship but does not explicitly prohibit states or districts from allowing non-citizens to vote.
Ultimately, the constitutionality of H.R. 884 hinges on the interpretation of states' rights versus federal authority over elections in federal districts and equal protection arguments related to disenfranchisement.
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).