Tancredo Introduces Bill to Halt Illegal Alien Voting

Tancredo Introduces Bill to Halt Illegal Alien Voting

- Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the 104-Member House Immigration Reform Caucus, introduced a bill that would penalize states which refuse to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voting. Under the Voter Integrity Protection Act (VIP Act), states would need to see a valid photo ID proving U.S. Citizenship for voting or those states would have their federal highway funding cut by as much as 40 percent.

"In some parts of our country, all residents are granted a de facto right to vote, regardless of whether or not they are citizens. Such widespread voter fraud blurs the line between residency and citizenship and it reinforces the message that you don't need to be an American to have every right and privilege of American citizenship. If even non-citizens can vote, what value does American citizenship have anymore?" said Tancredo. "Illegal votes undermine our democracy. The VIP Act would help preserve the integrity of our democratic system, which is one of the most important responsibilities we have in Congress."

Only U.S. citizens are legally qualified to vote. But that hasn't stopped what is believed to be a widespread practice of voter fraud. Most recently in the 50th Congressional District in California, Democrat Francine Busby told a largely Hispanic audience a few days before the election, "You don't need papers for voting." Rep. Brian Bilbray ending up winning the election by 7,000 votes, but at the time of the statement polls showed that the race was a dead heat.

Illegal votes may have made the difference in at least one Congressional election. In 1996, Rep. Bob Dornan lost his Orange County, California seat to Loretta Sanchez by fewer than 1,000 votes. State elections officials found that at least 300 votes in that election were cast illegally by non-citizens.

"In many states today, you can register to vote without ever being required to show that you are a citizen. Motor-voter registration and a rise in absentee ballots have only exacerbated voter fraud. If certain states are really so committed to protecting illegal aliens who vote, let them put their money where their mouth is and take a hard hit in federal funding," said Tancredo.

The VIP Act stipulates that state and local election officials may not provide a ballot for an election for federal office (including a provisional ballot) to any individual unless the person presents a photographic copy of a document - whether voting in person or by mail - providing proof that the person is a U.S. citizen. A motor vehicle driver's license will not be considered as a document which provides proof of citizenship unless the state issuing the license requires proof of citizenship as a condition of receiving the license.

Beginning in 2008, states which do not comply with the VIP Act would sacrifice 10 percent of their federal highway funding, and they would see an additional 10 percent cut in funding each year for an additional three years, or until they have come into compliance with the Act. If the states comply with the Act during the first four years, they will receive their entire lost federal highway funding in future appropriations.

The bill also provides funding to make free photo identifications available in order to avoid any challenges based on the 24th Amendment's prohibition of poll taxes.

http://tancredo.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1219