HR 884119th CongressIn Committee

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.

Introduced: Jan 31, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would change who may vote in the District of Columbia by federal law. It prohibits any individual who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in DC elections for public office or in any DC ballot measure (initiative or referendum). At the same time, it repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which had allowed certain noncitizen local residents to vote in DC local elections. In effect, the bill would restore the pre-2022 rule—restricting local voting to U.S. citizens—and supersede DC’s 2022 expansion of voting rights. The bill has moved through the House and is being considered in the Senate.

Key Points

1Prohibition on noncitizen voting: Any non-U.S. citizen may not vote in DC elections for public office or in DC ballot initiatives/referenda.
2Scope of impact: Applies to all District of Columbia elections and all DC ballot measures, across mayor/ Council elections and any referendums.
3Repeal of 2022 act: The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 is repealed, and any laws changed by that act are restored to what they were before it was enacted.
4Federal over DC home rule: The bill uses federal authority to set voter eligibility in DC, effectively overriding DC local law on this issue.
5Legislative status: The bill passed the House of Representatives (June 10, 2025) and has been referred to the Senate (Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) for consideration. Sponsor is not identified in the provided text.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Noncitizen residents of the District of Columbia, including permanent residents and other noncitizen groups, who would be prohibited from voting in DC elections.Secondary group/area affected: DC local election administration and election law, since the bill would supersede DC’s own voting rules and any noncitizen voting rights previously enacted by local law.Additional impacts: Potential legal and constitutional considerations around federal control of DC voting rules and potential challenges or disputes over DC’s autonomy to set its own election laws; potential effects on civic participation and representation for noncitizen residents in DC.

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