House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil raises alarms about the potential for Washington, D.C.'s voting laws to be replicated nationwide. His concerns focus on allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections under the city's policies. He believes this issue could influence future elections if not addressed and is pushing for a solution through federal legislation.

Steil supports the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote, claiming that illegal voting is becoming a real issue due to insufficient enforcement, as reported by Just The News.

Washington, D.C.'s Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 allows any resident, regardless of citizenship, to vote in local elections. The key requirement is that the voter must have lived in the city for more than 30 days. According to Steil, this opens the door for foreign nationals, including employees of foreign embassies, to participate in elections.

Concerns Over Foreign Nationals Voting in Local Elections

One of Steil’s main points of concern is the possibility that foreign nationals working at the Russian embassy or other diplomatic missions could qualify to vote.

"If they've resided in Washington, D.C. for 30 days, they can walk down to the polling station this November and vote in the municipal elections," Steil remarked, raising the potential impact this could have on local governance.

The 2022 amendment to D.C.'s voting laws was challenged in court the following year but ultimately dismissed by a judge. Steil argues that this type of policy might inspire similar laws across the country, which he claims would blur the line between citizen and non-citizen participation in elections.

Steil Pushes for the SAVE Act in Congress

In response, Steil's committee has passed the SAVE Act, a legislative measure that would require proof of U.S. citizenship before registering to vote. This measure passed the House of Representatives in July 2024, with the support of five Democrats.

However, Steil criticized the Senate for not yet taking up the bill, referring to it as a "common sense" proposal that would ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in U.S. elections.

"This is about enforcement," Steil said. "It's about preventing individuals from taking illegal action." He stressed that requiring proof of citizenship at registration is a necessary step to protect the integrity of U.S. elections.

Election Integrity and the Focus on Securing Votes

The debate over election integrity has become a major issue in recent years, particularly due to concerns about voter fraud and illegal voting. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger echoes these concerns, stating that securing elections ranks as his top priority.

He highlights Georgia’s efforts to ensure election security, noting that officials will report absentee ballot results by 8 p.m. on election night, which is expected to help avoid delays in election results.

Raffensperger predicted that about 60-65% of Georgia voters would cast their ballots early, while around 5-6% would choose absentee voting. "We think that's a good thing," he commented, reflecting confidence in Georgia’s ability to handle its voting process efficiently and securely.

Concerns About Non-Citizens Voting Nationwide

Cleta Mitchell, chairwoman of the Election Integrity Network, voiced concerns that Democrats might aim to allow non-citizens, particularly illegal migrants, to vote in U.S. elections. She argued that current federal voting laws, such as the Help America Vote Act, focus on verifying identity and residency but do not specifically require proof of citizenship.

"I think it's pretty clear that one of the plays in the Democrats' playbook for 2024 has been to convert all of these illegals coming across the border into voters," Mitchell said. She emphasized the importance of the SAVE Act, calling it a crucial measure to prevent non-citizens from voting in future elections.

The Importance of Voter Vigilance

Mitchell urged Americans to remain vigilant about local voter registration processes. In particular, she identified DMVs and local election offices as areas where non-citizens might slip through the cracks. Therefore, according to Mitchell, citizens should actively monitor these institutions to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote.

"This is a really big threat," Mitchell warned. "The more we can keep it on the front burner, hopefully the more awareness there is."

Moreover, as discussions surrounding election security continue, figures like Steil and Mitchell remain committed to passing the SAVE Act. They argue that this legislation is critical for safeguarding the integrity of U.S. elections and preventing non-citizens from influencing future political outcomes.