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Kelly votes to prohibit non-citizens from voting in D.C. elections, uphold American democracy

May 24, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of H.R. 192(link is external), legislation that would prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia. Further, H.R. 192 bars non-citizens from voting on any ballot initiative or D.C. referendum and repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. 
 
The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, unconstitutionally allows non-citizen residents, including green card holders, illegal immigrants, and other non-citizens who have lived in D.C. for at least 30 days, to vote in local elections. 
 

"Becoming a citizen is a fundamental right to vote in any election in the United States of America," Rep. Kelly said. "D.C. Democrats undermined the rights of American citizens living in the District by allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Today, House Republicans are securing a core value of our nation's electoral values."

Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee the District of Columbia. H.R. 192 represents the role Congress should take in regard to matters of the District’s governance. Under the U.S. Constitution. Congress is granted “exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever” over the District and, under
the Home Rule Act, Congress maintains a critical role to scrutinize and approve of D.C. laws.

 

BACKGROUND

On November 21, 2022, the District of Columbia enacted the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act (D.C. Law 24-0242), which allows noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in D.C. local elections. This Act dilutes the votes of American citizens and could have a ripple effect across other large U.S. cities.

- A primary factor that differentiates American citizens from non-citizens is the right to vote.
D.C. residents should be confident that their local government vote is not being diluted by
lawful non-citizen residents or illegal immigrants.
- The Act makes no exception for foreign diplomats or agents voting in D.C. These
individuals often have interests separate from, or opposed to, the interests of Americans.