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Bill

Bill

A 1277

Allows only citizens to vote at elections

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 18 co-sponsors

Bill A 1277 restricts voting to U.S. citizens only, ensuring election integrity and requiring officials to verify citizenship status for all voters.

OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1277

Summary of Bill A 1277: Allows Only Citizens to Vote at Elections

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: A 1277
  • Title: Allows only citizens to vote at elections
  • Status: Opinion referred to Judiciary
  • Introduced On: January 09, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of Bill A 1277 is to establish that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in elections. This legislation aims to clarify voter eligibility requirements and ensure that the voting process is exclusively reserved for citizens, thereby reinforcing the integrity of electoral processes.

Key Provisions

  • Eligibility Restriction: The bill stipulates that only individuals who are recognized as U.S. citizens may participate in elections. This includes local, state, and federal elections.
  • Implementation of Verification Measures: While specific verification processes are not detailed in the bill text, it implies that measures may be put in place to confirm citizenship status before allowing individuals to vote.

Affected Parties

  • Voters: The legislation directly impacts all individuals who wish to vote, as it restricts voting rights to U.S. citizens only.
  • Election Officials: Local and state election officials will need to implement new procedures to verify the citizenship status of voters, which may involve additional training and resources.
  • Non-Citizens: This bill will affect non-citizens residing in the U.S. who may have previously participated in elections, as they will no longer be eligible to vote.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: January 09, 2025
  • Referred to Election Law Committee: The bill was initially referred to the Election Law Committee for review.
  • Opinion Requested: On January 10, 2025, the bill was sent to the Attorney General for an opinion regarding its implications and legality.
  • Judiciary Referral: On January 29, 2025, the bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Related Bills

  • A 9095 (prior-session): A previous bill that may have addressed similar issues regarding voter eligibility.
  • A 2860 (prior-session): Another related bill from a prior session that could provide context or background on the topic.
  • S 1960 (companion): A companion bill in the Senate that likely mirrors the provisions of A 1277.

Conclusion

Bill A 1277 seeks to reinforce the principle that voting is a right reserved for U.S. citizens. As it progresses through the legislative process, its implications for voter eligibility and election integrity will be closely examined by various committees and stakeholders. The outcome of this bill could significantly impact the electoral landscape and the rights of non-citizens in the voting process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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