Like their peers living in the United States, citizens born abroad become eligible to vote when they turn 18. However, if these citizens have not yet resided in the United States, they are only permitted to vote in federal elections, absent further action from the states. 
 
These “never resided” citizens are required to register for selective service, annually file a tax return, and report foreign financial accounts. Despite this and the fact that they are United States citizens, they are not permitted to vote in Pennsylvania state and local elections.
 
Legislatures in a majority of states—including five that neighbor Pennsylvania—have expanded the voting rights of these citizens by permitting them to vote in state and local elections.
 
An estimated 4.4 million United States citizens live abroad, with roughly 2.8 million of these individuals being 18 years of age or older and eligible to vote. Therefore, the population of “never resided” citizens who are eligible to vote will only continue to increase as those citizens living overseas who are under the age of 18 attain voting age.
 
If these individuals are required to register for selective service and file taxes on their earnings, they should equally be permitted to vote in state and local elections. That is why I am introducing a bill to allow a “never resided” citizen, whose parent or guardian last domiciled in Pennsylvania, to vote in our state and local elections. It is time that we address this inequality.
 
Since our nation began, we have fought against taxation without representation, and that sentiment remains valid today. Please join me in expanding the voting rights of our “never resided” citizens by signing on to this proposal.