WASHINGTON—The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) has filed a brief in Wyoming federal district court opposing an activist group challenging the state’s new law aimed at stopping aliens from voting in federal elections in the state.
The plaintiff claims that the law, by requiring voter applicants to provide proof of citizenship, puts too heavy a burden on some voters, and may leave even some citizens unable to vote until after an election has passed.
In its brief, IRLI shows that these criticisms are unfounded. For example, the burden the law places on applicants is no greater than that placed on those who board an airplane, enter a federal courthouse, or even buy a medication containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed. IRLI also shows that Wyoming, as part of the nation’s self-governing democracy, has a compelling governmental interest, which amply justifies this law, in preventing anyone but U.S. citizens from voting in its federal elections.
“The right to vote in any election in the U.S. is reserved exclusively for American citizens,” said Christopher J. Hajec, acting executive director and general counsel of IRLI. “Otherwise, the people of America are no longer sovereign over this nation, as the Constitution proclaims we are, and America is no longer a self-governing republic. We hope the court recognizes the magnitude of the principles at stake here, and concludes that Wyoming has every right to enact this reasonable and straightforward law to protect its citizens’ right to govern themselves.”
The case is Equality State Policy Center v. Gray, No. 1:25-cv-00117 (D. Wy.).
