The Republican National Committee recently filed a lawsuit in Burlington, Vermont, to ensure that only citizens can vote in local elections. Residents of Burlington had voted in March 2023 to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections, but Vermont Governor Phil Scott vetoed the measure, only to be overridden by the state legislature. The RNC argues that allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections goes against the state constitution, which mandates that only citizens can vote on matters affecting the state. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated that Americans should decide American elections and criticized the Democrats’ efforts to enable noncitizen voting, stating that it dilutes the voices of American citizens.
The RNC spokesperson further commented that allowing noncitizens to vote, combined with the current border crisis, prioritizes illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens and jeopardizes the integrity of elections. While noncitizen suffrage is still illegal in federal elections, Burlington is not the only city to permit this practice. In the city of Winooski, Vermont, 11 people took advantage of the “all-resident” voting policy. Additionally, Takoma Park, Maryland, has allowed noncitizens to vote in municipal elections for over 30 years, with approximately 20% of noncitizens casting ballots in the 2017 off-year elections. The policy change in Takoma Park was spearheaded by then-American University law professor Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and requires identification and proof of residency.
Washington, D.C. also allows noncitizen voting in local races, while a New York State appeals court overturned similar provisions in New York City in February. Several heartland states banned noncitizen voting in the early 1900s, and Florida and Alabama voters approved constitutional amendments in 2020 declaring that only citizens can vote in those states. Burlington, Vermont, is also known as the city where Sen. Bernie Sanders started his political career as mayor from 1981 to 1989. Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to the city of Burlington for comment, but was directed to a communications official who did not respond. The issue of noncitizen voting continues to generate debate and controversy across the country.
The debate over noncitizen voting in municipal elections raises concerns about the impact on the democratic process and the allocation of resources in local communities. Opponents argue that allowing noncitizens to vote diminishes the voices of American citizens and undermines the principle of citizenship as a requirement for participation in elections. Supporters of noncitizen suffrage point to examples like Takoma Park, Maryland, where the policy has been in place for decades and has been credited with increasing civic engagement among noncitizen residents. The issue highlights the complex intersections of immigration policy, voting rights, and democratic participation at the local level.
The lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee in Burlington, Vermont, represents a broader effort to challenge the expansion of noncitizen voting in local elections and uphold the principle of citizenship as a fundamental requirement for voting. The RNC’s argument that Americans should decide American elections reflects broader concerns about the influence of noncitizens on the democratic process and the potential impact on policy decisions at the local level. The ongoing debate over noncitizen suffrage underscores the importance of addressing these issues within the framework of existing laws and constitutional principles to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral system.
As the debate over noncitizen voting continues to unfold in cities like Burlington, Vermont, and Takoma Park, Maryland, it is clear that the issue raises fundamental questions about the nature of citizenship, democracy, and representation in the United States. While proponents of noncitizen suffrage argue that it can promote inclusivity and civic engagement, opponents raise concerns about the potential for abuse and the dilution of American citizens’ voices in the electoral process. Ultimately, the resolution of these debates will require careful consideration of the legal, ethical, and practical implications of expanding voting rights to noncitizens at the local level, and the role of citizenship in shaping democratic participation in American society.
