Shenango Valley News

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of H.R. 192, legislation that would prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia. Additionally, H.R. 192 bars non-citizens from voting on any ballot initiative or D.C. referendum and repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.

The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 allows non-citizen residents, including green card holders, illegal immigrants, and other non-citizens who have lived in D.C. for at least 30 days, to vote in local elections.

"Becoming a citizen is a fundamental right to vote in any election in the United States of America," Rep. Kelly said. "D.C. Democrats undermined the rights of American citizens living in the District by allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Today, House Republicans are securing a core value of our nation's electoral values."

Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee the District of Columbia. H.R. 192 represents the role Congress should take regarding matters of the District’s governance under the U.S. Constitution. Congress is granted “exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever” over the District and, under the Home Rule Act, maintains a critical role to scrutinize and approve D.C. laws.

On November 21, 2022, the District of Columbia enacted the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act (D.C. Law 24-0242), which allows noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in D.C.'s local elections.

"A primary factor that differentiates American citizens from non-citizens is the right to vote," Kelly added.

Concerns have been raised that this act dilutes votes of American citizens and could influence other large U.S cities' policies on similar issues.

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