Bill Overview
Title: To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia.
Description: This bill prohibits an individual who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in any elections in the District of Columbia (DC). Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections; however, the DC Council passed a bill on October 18, 2022, that allows noncitizens who meet residency and other requirements to vote in local elections.
Sponsors: Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Target Audience
Population: Non-citizens residing in the District of Columbia
Estimated Size: 100000
- The population affected by this bill includes non-citizens residing in the District of Columbia who have met residency and other local voting requirements.
- The global population potentially affected is all non-citizens living in DC who would have been eligible under the local law to vote in municipal elections.
- Federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, but this bill specifically targets local voting rights granted by the DC Council.
Reasoning
- The primary target population of this policy is non-citizens residing in DC, approximately 10,000 individuals, based on residency and voting eligibility criteria set by local law.
- The indirect impact extends to about 100,000 U.S. citizens in DC, potentially affected by changes in local election dynamics caused by this policy.
- Given the budget constraints of $0 for both year 1 and over 10 years, the policy relies on existing administrative processes to enforce voting restrictions, which limits any direct financial investment or support programs.
- Considering the policy context, the direct impact on non-citizens will likely be regulatory and limit their civic engagement by restricting participation in local elections.
Simulated Interviews
College Professor (Washington, DC)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing the ability to vote locally feels like losing my voice in issues that affect my daily life.
- I contribute to the community and felt that voting was a way to have a say in neighborhood improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Software Developer (Washington, DC)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though my priority is work, voting in local elections offered a connection to the community and sense of belonging.
- This policy could make me feel less integrated here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Washington, DC)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I support secure elections, I liked that my wife's and my views were better represented when she could vote too.
- It impacts how decisions at the local level are made, which affects our family life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Graduate Student (Washington, DC)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student, my interest is primarily in my studies, but participating in voting was an enriching experience.
- This decision restricts me from engaging in the place I call home even if temporarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Washington, DC)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This restricts the ability of my neighbors to participate and voice their everyday challenges and preferences.
- The policy feels exclusionary when the city thrives on diversity and inclusive practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, DC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support this policy as it aligns with my belief in protecting and validating the integrity of the voting process.
- Citizens should decide their community's future, though I understand local integration complexities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Marketing Specialist (Washington, DC)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing voting rights diminishes my involvement in the community.
- I feel connected to my neighborhood and this will impact my commitment to local causes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Retired (Washington, DC)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means a fairer election process and strengthens our pool of informed voters.
- Still, I worry about the repercussions for community cohesion and representation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Public School Teacher (Washington, DC)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Voting shapes school policies relevant to my kids, and our family's non-citizen members feel disempowered by this change.
- I value their voices in these important local matters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Intern (Washington, DC)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Participation in elections allowed my voice to be heard, reflecting my long-term presence here.
- This policy alienates residents like me who have a vested interest in our community's future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill could face legal challenges related to the autonomy of the DC Council's decisions.
- Potential political implications for local governance and representation in DC.
- Implementation processes to ensure compliance without new federal spending.