Republicans on the U.S. House Administration Committee, led by chair Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, are pushing for legislation to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections, despite the fact that noncitizens already cannot legally vote in federal elections and instances of them doing so are extremely rare. House Democrats, led by Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, argue that this effort is intended to sow mistrust in the election process, drawing parallels to the January 6 insurrection.
Republicans, including former President Trump, have made noncitizen voting and immigration policy key campaign issues ahead of the November elections. A bill sponsored by Texas Rep. Chip Roy, requiring proof of citizenship for federal election voting, has also been promoted, despite concern from Democrats who argue that it will burden eligible voters, particularly people of color.
Researchers and studies have consistently found that noncitizens do not vote in federal elections, with one analysis from the Heritage Foundation identifying only 29 instances over a 20-year period. Experts caution against spreading misinformation about noncitizen voting, noting that efforts to discredit the election process could have dangerous consequences, especially after the events of January 6.
Overall, the debate highlights a partisan divide over election integrity and the treatment of noncitizens in the voting process. Democrats argue that the focus on noncitizen voting is unfounded and could disenfranchise eligible voters, while Republicans insist on stricter measures to prevent illegitimate voting. As the debate continues, the future of voting rights legislation remains uncertain.
Source
Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
