Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) voted for a bill stopping non-citizens from voting in Washington, D.C. elections.

“Voting is a right and privilege for citizens of the United States,” said Rep. Curtis. “Washington, D.C. is home to embassies from all around the world. Allowing non-citizens to vote would enable diplomats from adversarial nations like Russia and China to participate in local elections. This cannot be allowed, and this legislation prevents D.C. from continuing this practice.”

Under current D.C. law, a Russian or Chinese diplomat could live in Moscow or Beijing their entire life, take a job at their Embassy starting this September, and vote in D.C.’s elections this November.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power “to exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever” over Washington, D.C.

In 2022, Washington, D.C. passed The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24–242) which gave any adult with 30 days of residency the right to vote in the city.

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