GOP bill penalizes states allowing noncitizen voting in state, local elections.

Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Strengthen Election Integrity

Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at bolstering election integrity and instilling confidence in American elections. The proposed measures include implementing voter ID requirements in certain cases and ensuring that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections.

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) introduced the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act on Monday.

The bill summary states that the legislation “makes the biggest legislative effort in a generation to protect political speech in a climate where Democrats are doing everything in their power to determine ‘truth’ and silence conservative voices.”

The ACE Act makes it clear that voting in a federal election as a noncitizen is a felony offense. It also calls on the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and other relevant federal agencies to provide voter data to states at no cost. This data would help remove noncitizens and deceased voters from voter rolls.

States would have the power to immediately remove noncitizens from voter rolls without any blackout period. Additionally, states that allow noncitizens to vote in state and local elections would need to maintain separate ballots for those races during federal elections. However, they would receive 30 percent less federal funding for election expenses under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

The ACE Act would also modernize the first-time mail voter ID requirement in HAVA. First-time voters who did not register in person or through a state voter registration agency would need to provide ID when they vote. Certain voters who request a mail ballot would also be required to provide an ID. Furthermore, the bill aims to reform the REAL ID Act to ensure that U.S. citizenship is printed on all qualifying voters’ identification documents after Jan. 1, 2026.

Under the bill, the DHS Disinformation Governance Board would be officially terminated, and any future similar entities would be prohibited.

‘Common Sense Reforms’

The ACE Act is based on three key findings:

1. States have the primary role in establishing election law and administering elections.
2. All eligible American voters must be able to vote, and all lawful votes must be counted.
3. Political speech is protected speech, and all voices must be protected.

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, strongly criticized the bill, stating, “This legislation is designed to appease extremist election deniers who have spent the last four years attacking our democracy.”

“It would restrict the fundamental right to vote, especially for voters of color, jeopardize the security of our elections, burden local election administrators, and bring more dark money into our electoral process—opening the door to corruption,” he continued.