Controversy Brews Over Voting Laws in Washington, DC and Arizona

Recent events in Washington, DC and Arizona have stirred up debates and divisions over voting rights for non-citizens and immigration enforcement. While DC faces backlash over allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, Arizona Republicans propose a new law to criminalize unauthorized border crossings, raising concerns about racial profiling and voter fraud.

Washington, DC Faces Harassment Over Non-Citizen Voting Law

Washington, DC, June 4, 2024—Washington DC's primary election on June 4 saw 539 non-citizens registered to vote in local elections. This comes after the city passed a law in 2022 allowing non-citizens to vote in local races but not in federal elections. The DC law has led to an influx of angry messages targeting the Board of Elections. Executive Director Monica Evans reported receiving numerous hostile calls since April, including a voicemail accusing the board of treachery for permitting "illegals" to vote.

The Republican Party has made this an issue, arguing the potential for voter fraud. Leading Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have pushed for legislation to overturn the DC law, though it faces an uphill battle in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Arizona’s New Immigration Law Proposal

Phoenix, Arizona, June 4, 2024—Arizona Republicans are advancing a proposal to criminalize unauthorized border crossings at the state level. Reminiscent of the state's 2010 S.B. 1070 law, the new measure would empower local police to arrest and deport migrants, with critics fearing it could lead to racial profiling.

The Arizona Senate proposal is set to be placed on the ballot in November, despite opposition from Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who cannot veto it. This measure occurs amid broader dissatisfaction with President Biden's immigration policies. If passed, it could redefine immigration enforcement in the battleground state, potentially influencing both the 2024 presidential and Senate races.