Some Americans are asking why this is even a thing?
The upcoming House vote centers on a bill aiming to prohibit noncitizens from participating in local elections within Washington, D.C. Republicans are strategically pressing Democrats ahead of the November election by bringing this legislation to the forefront.
Scheduled for later this week, the proposed law seeks to overturn a local ordinance permitting noncitizen participation in local elections concerning city ordinances and the election of District of Columbia Council members. Democrats are mobilizing to counter these efforts, with House Minority Whip Katherine Clark rallying party members to oppose the bill during the upcoming vote.
This vote echoes a previous attempt by House Republicans a year ago to restrict noncitizen voting in the district. Despite passing in the lower chamber with a 260-162 vote, the legislation stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Last year’s vote saw 42 House Democrats siding with Republicans, prompting renewed efforts to hold Democratic lawmakers accountable on the issue amidst growing concerns over election security leading up to November.
Critics, like National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Will Reinert, have characterized Democratic support for noncitizen voting as extreme and opportunistic election-year politics. They emphasize the need to scrutinize any shifts in stance by these politicians.
The timing of this vote aligns with broader Republican strategies aimed at election law reform. House Speaker Mike Johnson is spearheading a separate bill targeting noncitizen voting in federal elections, linking it to the perceived challenges posed by illegal immigration, which Republicans frequently attribute to the Biden administration’s policies.
Johnson highlighted the potential impact of unchecked noncitizen participation in elections, attributing it to the administration’s approach to immigration policy. He asserted that Democrats are advocating for noncitizen enfranchisement, framing it as a consequence of lax border controls.
While the bill may secure passage in the House, its prospects in the Senate are uncertain. Furthermore, even if it were to reach President Joe Biden’s desk, it is expected to face a veto.
The debate surrounding noncitizen voting underscores broader tensions within American politics regarding immigration policy, electoral integrity, and partisan maneuvering.