Published by Chris Pierce
Illegal aliens and foreign diplomats may soon elect the Mayor of the Nation’s Capital as the Washington DC City Council passed a bill to expand local voting rights to any adult with just 30 days of residency in the city. Current DC Mayor Muriel Bowser did not sign or veto the bill meaning it was officially enacted on Monday of this week.
Unlike the law recently passed in New York City, which also allowed illegal aliens to vote in local elections, the D.C. measure does not require noncitizens to have U.S. work authorization to participate in local elections. This means illegal aliens, foreign students, and foreign diplomats who have resided in the city for only a month will legally be able to cast ballots in city elections.
The Washington Times reported, “There’s nothing in this measure to prevent employees at embassies of governments that are openly hostile to the United States from casting ballots.” A writer at the New Republic agreed with the sentiment giving a hypothetical example: “A Russian diplomat could live their entire life in Moscow or St. Petersburg, take a job as a cultural attaché at Russia’s D.C. Embassy in August 2024, move into their new apartment that September, and cast a ballot in D.C.’s local elections that November.”
Dispute the impending fiasco that will inevitably arise from D.C. officials being forced to manage two voter lists and two sets of ballots and the deterioration of voting as an incentive to naturalize; the D.C. city council passed the bill by a 12-1 margin. However, because Washington is a federal district, acts of the city council are subject to review by Congress, where Representatives have 30 days to object via a joint resolution.
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board reports:
Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz have said they will seek to block the noncitizen voting proposal. Will Democrats stand in the way of that attempt? Let’s see the roll call.
You can read the full article here.
Take Action
Your voice counts! Let your Member of Congress know where you stand on immigration issues through the Action Board. Not a NumbersUSA member? Sign up here to get started.
Donate Today!
NumbersUSA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that relies on your donations to works toward sensible immigration policies. NumbersUSA Education & Research Foundation is recognized by America's Best Charities as one of the top 3% of well-run charities.
Immigration Grade Cards
NumbersUSA provides the only comprehensive immigration grade cards. See how your member of Congress’ rates and find grades going back to the 104th Congress (1995-97).