WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has introduced legislation with the support of 21 Republican colleagues to prohibit noncitizens from voting in District of Columbia elections.
In 2022, the D.C. City Council approved a law that allows noncitizens, including foreign embassy staff and individuals living in the country illegally, to cast ballots in local races such as Mayor, Attorney General, and City Council.
“This isn’t just about local school boards or fixing potholes. This is about the direction of our nation’s capital,” said Senator Britt. She argued that the measure undermines core democratic principles, adding, “In the city representing the strongest democratic republic in the world, the D.C. City Council chose to flagrantly violate one of democracy’s core principles. This is a slap in the face to every American citizen, whether they live in D.C. or not, who should be the only voters deciding who represents them in every election and at every level of government.”
Public opinion surveys consistently indicate that 85 to 90 percent of Americans believe voting should be reserved for U.S. citizens.
The bill, introduced in the Senate, mirrors legislation sponsored by Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) in the U.S. House of Representatives. That measure passed with bipartisan support, as 54 House Democrats joined Republicans in favor.
Senator Britt has previously introduced the Citizen Ballot Protection Act, aimed at ensuring states verify citizenship status in federal elections. She noted that other cities across the country, including some in Maryland, Vermont, and New York, have taken similar steps to allow noncitizen voting in local contests.
Joining Senator Britt on this new bill are Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), James Risch (R-ID), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).
