Sens. Britt, Tuberville Lead Push in Senate to Bar Noncitizens from Voting in D.C.

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) is leading 21 Republican colleagues in filing a bill to stop noncitizens from voting in local Washington, D.C. elections. The legislation would overturn the D.C. City Council’s 2022 law that lets non–U.S. citizens vote for Mayor, Attorney General, City Council, and more. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville is one of the co-sponsors of the measure.

Sen. Britt said, “This isn’t just about local school boards or fixing potholes. This is about the direction of our nation’s capital… This is a slap in the face to every American citizen… who should be the only voters deciding who represents them in every election and at every level of government.” She added that “it is our duty to protect the votes of hardworking American citizens” and strengthen election integrity.

Many surveys show that roughly 85 to 90 percent of Americans support requiring U.S. citizenship to vote in local contests. In the House, Representative August Pfluger of Texas introduced similar legislation, which passed with bipartisan support when 54 House Democrats joined Republicans.

Sens. Britt and Tuberville are joined by 21 of their colleagues in introducing this legislation, including Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NB), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KN), Steve Daines (R-MT), James Risch (R-ID), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).

Earlier in the 118th Congress, Britt led the Citizen Ballot Protection Act, a bill designed to let states require proof of citizenship for federal mail‑in voter registration. She warned that some cities permitting noncitizen voting to undermine American citizens and weaken trust in elections.

The issue isn’t unique to D.C. In years past, local ordinances in parts of Maryland, Vermont, and New York also granted noncitizens limited voting rights in local races.

On June 10, 2025, the House voted 266–148 to repeal D.C.’s noncitizen voting law, with 56 Democrats siding with Republicans. That vote followed another bill to roll back D.C. police discipline reform. The repeal still faces a Senate vote before it becomes law.

Supporters of D.C.’s local law say it reflects the views of all adult residents who live there, pay taxes, and follow local laws. Meanwhile, opponents say the practice undercuts citizen voters and violates democratic principles.

If the Senate bill introduced by Britt and others becomes law, it could bar noncitizen ballots in D.C. this fall and beyond.