Katie Britt leads initiative following reports of 400 noncitizens casting ballots in 2024 general election
Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, are moving to assert federal authority over Washington, D.C., in a push to halt what they describe as a risky policy allowing noncitizens — including illegal immigrants — to vote in local elections.
The initiative comes in response to reports indicating that approximately 400 noncitizens voted in the 2024 general election, with around 100 participating in the primary.
Federal law, under a 1996 measure by then-Rep. C.W. Young, R-Fla., known as the IIRAIRA, bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections. However, local jurisdictions like Washington, D.C., are still permitted to allow them to vote in municipal contests.
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While most states don’t allow such participation, D.C. is among several jurisdictions — including parts of Maryland, New York, Vermont, and California (in certain school board elections) — that permit noncitizen voting at the local level.
Congress holds unique constitutional authority over the District of Columbia, which gives it the power to intervene in virtually any aspect of its governance — including overturning local laws.
Sen. Britt’s proposed legislation would prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. elections and repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which authorized the practice.
“This isn’t just about local school boards or fixing potholes. This is about the direction of our nation’s capital,” Britt said.
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“In the city representing the strongest democracy 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.
“I am hopeful we gain bipartisan support in the Senate for this commonsense bill — it is our duty to protect the votes of hardworking American citizens and those who came to our country legally and took the time and effort to go through the naturalization process. Ultimately, this is about strengthening the integrity of our elections.”
After the most recent election, several noncitizen voters spoke to the Washington Post, including Ana Lemus, a woman from El Salvador who moved to the U.S. more than 10 years ago. She explained that her vote was aimed at addressing issues like “wealth inequality and police brutality.” Her daughter was just four years old when they arrived.
On the House side, Rep. August Pflueger, R-Texas, has introduced a companion bill. While Sen. Britt’s proposal currently has only Republican co-sponsors, Pflueger’s version has drawn support from approximately 50 Democrats.
The first U.S. city to permit noncitizen voting was Takoma Park, Maryland, in 1992 — a move led in part by current Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who helped launch the local “Share The Vote” initiative in the D.C.-adjacent community.
