Reports indicate that up to 800,000 non-citizens may soon have the right to vote in New York City elections, as a court is expected to review legislation this week that would allow them to register before the upcoming city elections.
A major court in New York is scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday, according to Politico. This comes after a previous decision by an appellate court last year that blocked efforts by Democratic lawmakers to extend voting rights to non-citizens.
Should the Democrats’ initiative succeed, approximately 800,000 non-citizens residing in New York City would be granted the ability to vote in local elections, such as the highly anticipated mayoral race this November, the report said.
Supporters of the proposed legislation, which would allow non-citizens to participate in elections, argue that these residents are unfairly taxed without representation.
“In five City Council districts, non-U.S. citizens make up about a third of the adult population,” lawyers reportedly stated in a court filing. “These New Yorkers pay billions in taxes and yet have no say in local policies on public safety, garbage collection, or housing — all matters that affect their day-to-day lives.”
Meanwhile, New York City Republicans are opposed to the idea, reiterating that the state constitution specifically grants voting rights to “every citizen.”
“It’s hard to discuss because it’s crazy it’s even an issue,” New York State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-24th Senate District) told Politico, adding, “Citizens ought to vote. If you’re not a citizen of a country, you should not have a say.”
Last year, an appellate court ruled 3-1 to block the law allowing non-citizens to vote, with the judges concluding that “irrefutable inference applies that noncitizens were intended to be excluded from those entitled to vote.”
The legislation comes as a fierce race heats up among Democratic candidates competing to replace Mayor Eric Adams (D) of New York City.
{Matzav.com}