# Plain Language Summary: Non-Citizen Voting Prohibition Bill

This bill would prevent Washington, D.C. from using any federal money to allow non-citizens to vote in elections. Right now, D.C. has been considering letting people who aren't U.S. citizens—such as permanent residents or people with work visas—participate in local elections for things like mayor, city council, and school board. This bill would block that from happening by cutting off federal funding if D.C. tries to do it.

The practical effect is straightforward: if D.C. wanted to let non-citizens vote in local elections, they would have to find money from sources other than the federal government to run those elections. Since D.C. relies heavily on federal funding for its government operations, this would create a significant financial pressure against allowing non-citizen voting. The bill essentially uses the federal government's control over D.C.'s budget as a way to enforce a voting restriction.

This matters mainly to people living in D.C. and non-citizens there who might want voting rights in local matters. It also touches on a broader debate about who should be allowed to participate in democracy—some argue that people who live and work in a community should have a say in local decisions even if they're not citizens, while others believe voting should be reserved for U.S. citizens only. The bill takes a clear position on that debate by preventing D.C. from experimenting with non-citizen voting, at least with federal money.

A bill to prohibit the government of the District of Columbia from using Federal funds to allow individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in any election, and for other purposes.

Cruz, Ted

 <p>This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to allow an individual who is not a U.S. citizen to vote in any election in the District of Columbia (DC). Further, DC must certify that it does not allow noncitizens to vote in elections as a condition of receiving any federal funds.</p> <p>Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections; however, the DC Council passed a bill on October 18, 2022, that allows noncitizens who meet residency and other requirements to vote in local elections.</p>