# Plain Language Summary: Non-Citizen Voting Ban in DC

This bill would prevent non-citizens from voting in Washington, DC elections and would undo a 2022 law that allowed them to vote. Right now, DC has a policy that lets non-citizens who are permanent residents of the district participate in local elections for things like mayor, city council, and school board. This bill would eliminate that ability and make citizenship a requirement to vote in DC, just like it is in every state.

The practical effect is straightforward: anyone who isn't a U.S. citizen would lose their voting rights in DC elections, even if they've lived there for years, pay taxes, and are invested in their community. This would primarily affect immigrants who have green cards or other legal residency status but haven't become citizens yet. They would no longer be able to vote on local issues that directly impact their neighborhoods, schools, and daily lives in the district.

The bill specifically repeals the "Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022," which was the law that opened up voting to non-citizens in DC. Supporters of this bill argue that voting should be reserved for citizens, while those who opposed repealing the 2022 law believed that long-term residents who contribute to the community should have a say in local decisions. This is essentially a reversal of DC's recent experiment with expanding voting access to a broader group of residents.

To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.

Pfluger, August

<p>This bill prohibits a non-U.S. citizen from voting in a District of Columbia (DC) election and repeals relevant provisions of DC law.</p><p>Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in a federal election; however, in 2022, DC enacted a law allowing noncitizens who meet residency and other requirements to vote in local elections. This bill repeals the DC law, which went into effect on February 23, 2023.&nbsp;</p>