A group of centrist House Democrats are spearheading a bipartisan initiative aimed at reducing noncitizen participation in U.S. elections.
Representatives Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., have joined forces on legislation led by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., just months before the November presidential election.
The support from these Democratic lawmakers is noteworthy; a bill that sought to overturn Washington, D.C.’s policy permitting noncitizens to vote in local elections faced strong opposition from the progressive wing yet ultimately passed with backing from 52 Democrats.
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Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden have endorsed new legislation to address noncitizen voting in U.S. elections. (Getty Images)
Recently, House GOP leaders passed legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. This bill, which has the support of former President Trump, received backing from five Democrats but awaits Senate consideration.
The bill comes amid Republican criticisms of the Biden administration’s border and immigration policies, which some claim could enable illegal immigrants to participate in U.S. elections.
“Across the world, the fundamental and exclusive rights of citizens are inherently tied to equally significant and exclusive responsibilities. One cannot exist without the other. Therefore, this bill emphasizes that the right to vote in the United States is a privilege reserved solely for its citizens,” Golden stated.
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The initiative is being driven by Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Perez remarked, “It’s essential to uphold the constitutional principle that decisions affecting our nation are made by its citizens – this bipartisan bill aims to safeguard the integrity of Americans’ choices at the ballot box.”
The legislation explicitly forbids states from permitting noncitizens to vote in federal elections, which is already illegal. Additionally, it aims to penalize states allowing noncitizen voting in state and local elections by threatening their federal funding.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a separate election integrity package alongside former President Trump, which passed the House earlier this month. (Getty Images)
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The proposed legislation also aims to enhance voting access for Americans, mandating that states allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections. Currently, some states conduct “closed primaries,” limiting participation to those registered with a specific party.
Fitzpatrick commented on his bill, “This sensible reform is neither political nor controversial. It guarantees that every U.S. citizen, regardless of their political affiliations, possesses the unassailable right to vote while reinforcing electoral integrity by explicitly prohibiting non-citizens from engaging in taxpayer-funded elections.”
