Documents obtained by Judicial Watch reveal a PowerPoint presentation featured at a D.C. Board of Elections event titled ‘Non-Citizen Voting Education Virtual Training.'
Rep. Chip Roy argues that the newly disclosed documents regarding this Washington, D.C. training program aimed at illegal immigrants voting in local elections underscore the necessity for the SAVE Act.
“Without the verification measures in the SAVE Act, we're basically asking people who are already breaking the law by coming to the US illegally to abide by the honor system. No way; American elections should belong to American citizens, period,” Roy explained.
Roy, as the lead sponsor, is championing the new legislation set to come before the House floor. This legislation aims to prohibit illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections, despite the practice already being illegal.
The D.C. City Council made amendments to its code in 2023 to permit non-citizen voting. This move exceeded the actions of other jurisdictions by allowing not only non-citizens but also those residing in the country illegally to partake in local elections.
Under federal law, only citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections, although the law prohibits the requirement of documentary proof of citizenship in elections. However, Arizona mandates such proof for state elections. The SAVE Act seeks to compel election officials to verify citizenship in elections, though the timing of its vote remains uncertain.
Non-citizens who participate in federal and state elections are already violating the law and subjecting themselves to potential incarceration or deportation. Only a few municipalities in California, Maryland, and Vermont permit illegal immigrants to vote in local elections.
Roy’s proposed bill seeks to eliminate any loopholes that enable individuals to register to vote without providing proof of US citizenship or a photo ID. It mandates that all 50 states purge their voter rolls of any unlawful immigrants. Additionally, the bill proposes penalties of up to five years in prison for election officials who register non-citizens to vote and requires proof of citizenship for overseas voters.
