H.R.884 - 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, which allowed non-citizen residents to vote in local elections. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It was subsequently reported with an amendment and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
The primary goal of the bill is to ensure that only United States citizens can participate in elections within the District of Columbia. This is achieved by explicitly forbidding non-citizens from voting in any election for public office, ballot initiative, or referendum in D.C.
Furthermore, the bill seeks to nullify the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, effectively reversing the policy that permitted non-citizen voting and reinstating the previous legal framework.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 884 would prevent non-citizens residing in the District of Columbia from voting in local elections. This would reverse the policy established by the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
The change would likely decrease voter turnout in local D.C. elections, as non-citizens who were previously eligible to vote would no longer be able to participate. The bill could also spark legal challenges based on arguments related to disenfranchisement and equal protection.
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 and the practice in most states.
- Could increase confidence in the integrity of the electoral process among some citizens.
- Addresses concerns about the dilution of voting power of U.S. citizens.
Potential Disadvantages
- Disenfranchises non-citizen residents who contribute to the community through taxes and other means.
- May reduce voter turnout in local elections, potentially affecting the representativeness of elected officials.
- Could be viewed as discriminatory against non-citizens who have a vested interest in their local community.
- May face legal challenges based on equal protection arguments.
- Could negatively impact the District of Columbia's efforts to promote inclusivity and civic engagement among all residents.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. While the Constitution grants states (and by extension, the District of Columbia through Congressional authority) the power to set voter qualifications, this power is subject to constitutional limits, particularly the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Arguments in favor of constitutionality would emphasize that the right to vote is traditionally associated with citizenship. Arguments against might claim that denying voting rights to tax-paying residents violates equal protection principles. The Supreme Court has not directly addressed the issue of non-citizen voting in local elections, leaving room for interpretation.
Article I, Section 2 defines electors for the House of Representatives as 'the People of the several States,' implying a connection to citizenship, although the exact qualifications are left to the states.
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).