The Washington, D.C., city council recently approved a measure that would allow noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to cast ballots in municipal elections. According to the Free Beacon, foreigners would be able to vote for local posts such as the mayor and city council members under the law, which was approved 12-1. However, to become law, the measure must first receive final approval from the city council next month and then from Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The move comes after New York City enacted legislation allowing the city’s 800,000 noncitizens to vote last year, but a state judge struck down the legislation in June after finding that it had violated the New York Constitution.

Council member Charles Allen, who cosponsored the bill, claimed it is part of the council’s commitment to “removing barriers to voting and lifting the voices of all district voters, particularly those in historically underrepresented communities.” In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that there are around 44,000 noncitizens in Washington, D.C. If the measure is passed, they will still not be eligible to cast a ballot in federal elections.