The Republican National Committee has filed a lawsuit to ensure that only citizens can vote in Burlington, Vermont, elections. This comes after residents of Burlington approved a charter change allowing noncitizens to vote in municipal elections in March 2023. Although Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott initially vetoed the measure, the legislature overrode his decision.
The RNC argues that allowing noncitizens to vote in these elections goes against the state constitution, which requires that only citizens have the right to vote on matters affecting the state. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated that “Americans should decide American elections,” emphasizing the importance of preserving the voice of American citizens in Vermont and across the country.
The RNC spokesperson raised concerns about the impact of noncitizen voting on elections, particularly in combination with what they described as a “catastrophic border crisis.” They believe that allowing noncitizens to vote prioritizes illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens and poses a threat to the integrity of elections.
While noncitizen suffrage is not permitted in federal-level elections, Burlington is not the only city to allow this practice. In Winooski, a suburb of Burlington, 11 individuals took advantage of the town’s “all-resident” voting policy. Additionally, Takoma Park, Maryland, has permitted noncitizens to vote for 30 years, with approximately 20% of noncitizens participating in off-year elections in 2017.
The city of Takoma Park implemented its policy change in 1992, spearheaded by resident and then-American University law professor Rep. Jamie Raskin. The policy requires identification and proof of residency for noncitizens to participate in elections. Similarly, Washington, D.C., also allows noncitizen voting in municipal races.
In contrast, a New York State appeals court overturned New York City’s noncitizen suffrage provisions in February, while several states in the heartland banned the practice in the early 1900s. States like Florida and Alabama have passed constitutional amendments affirming that only citizens can vote within their borders.
Politically, Burlington is notable for being the city where Sen. Bernie Sanders began his political career as mayor from 1981 to 1989. The city did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the lawsuit.
Overall, the debate over noncitizen voting rights in Burlington reflects broader discussions about the intersection of immigration policy and electoral processes. The lawsuit filed by the RNC underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding this issue and the differing perspectives on who should have the right to vote in local elections.