House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has introduced a new bill aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Johnson, along with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and other GOP lawmakers, presented the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require individuals to show proof of citizenship before registering to vote. The bill comes after Johnson and former President Donald Trump voiced concerns about election integrity at Mar-a-Lago last month.
Johnson stated that the current election system is at risk due to noncitizens and illegal aliens potentially voting in the upcoming election. He believes that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants may cast votes without proving their citizenship, highlighting the need for stricter voter eligibility requirements.
While federal law mandates that voter registration forms require individuals to swear under penalty of perjury that they are US citizens, some Republicans argue that more stringent measures are necessary. They advocate for the inclusion of documentary proof to ensure that only citizens are able to vote in federal elections.
Critics of the proposal argue that it is redundant, as it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. However, Republicans point to the threat posed by illegal immigration at the southern border as a reason for implementing stricter measures.
Although instances of noncitizens voting in federal elections are rare, Republicans fear the potential impact as the number of noncitizens in the country grows. They argue that the current surge of illegal immigration under the Biden administration could lead to significant numbers of noncitizens casting votes.
Republicans have previously targeted election laws to prevent noncitizens from voting, particularly in local elections in places like Washington, D.C. Johnson criticized Democrats for their support of allowing noncitizens to vote, attributing it to an open border policy.
It remains to be seen when the legislation will go to a vote in the House, but it is expected to face opposition in the Democratic-led Senate. Despite the potential challenges, Republicans view this issue as a key talking point for the upcoming election.
