Garden State Times

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) introduced a resolution today to express support for the federal “Equal Representation Act,” which aims to modify the apportionment of United States Representatives and electoral college votes based on the population of United States citizens.

“Appropriating representatives to the United States Congress based on citizenship is the only formula that allows for accurate representation in our federal government,” said Pennacchio. “It is imperative that the right of each American citizen to receive equal representation in government is protected from dilution.”

More than 10 million people have illegally entered the United States under President Biden's tenure, increasing the total population of illegal immigrants in the country to over 20 million and noncitizens to more than 30 million, according to current estimates.

“The noncitizen population is so large that if they were all located in one state, it would be apportioned 40 congressional districts and 42 electoral votes in presidential elections. In no world does that echo the sentiment of equal representation,” Pennacchio continued.

The United States House of Representatives introduced H.R. 7109, known as the “Equal Representation Act,” on January 29, 2024, and passed it on May 8, 2024. The bill’s enactment would ensure that congressional seats and electoral votes are allocated among states based solely on the U.S. citizen population, excluding noncitizens.

Additionally, Senator Pennacchio has introduced companion legislation aimed at protecting New Jersey’s redistricting process by counting only New Jersey citizens during legislative seat allocation.