Lawmakers Demand Action from DOJ Over Noncitizen Voting Concerns

In response to growing concerns about noncitizen participation in federal elections, a coalition of 73 lawmakers from both the House and Senate has called for increased transparency from the Justice Department. Led by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), the group has reached out to Attorney General Merrick Garland, expressing alarm over reports of noncitizens on voter rolls.

In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the lack of communication from the DOJ following a July inquiry regarding enforcement actions against noncitizen voting. They emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the 2024 Presidential Election is just weeks away. "Your Department’s inaction is particularly troubling as it undermines public trust in our elections," they stated.

Attorney General Merrick Garland

The lawmakers are seeking detailed information on several key points, including the number of prosecutions related to noncitizen voting, the DOJ's protocols for addressing allegations of such voting, and measures in place to prevent it.

Highlighting the issue, the Virginia attorney general recently reported identifying over 6,300 noncitizens on its voter rolls, while Texas officials removed approximately 6,500, with nearly 2,000 having previously voted. Concerns about noncitizen voting have also been echoed by prominent Republicans, including former President Trump.

In August, Republican lawmakers attempted to advance the SAVE Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration and aims to ensure noncitizens are removed from voter rolls. This proposal was linked to a spending bill extension to avert a government shutdown.

Recently, the DOJ took legal action against Alabama, claiming the state improperly removed voters with noncitizen identification just before the upcoming election, which may violate the National Voter Registration Act.

The lawmakers reiterated the seriousness of noncitizen voting as a threat to election integrity, stating, "It not only jeopardizes the democratic process but also diminishes public confidence in election outcomes." They have urged the DOJ to clarify its approach to this pressing issue.