Nearly 1 Million Noncitizens Can Now Vote in New York: ‘Careless Legislation’

“This careless legislation dilutes the voices of American citizens and is not in line with the views of the vast majority of our city.”

QUICK FACTS:

• A bill allowing non-U.S. citizens living in New York City to vote in local elections automatically became law when the window for new Mayor Eric Adams to take action against it expired at midnight on Sunday, making it the largest city in the country to do so, according to Forbes.
• The expanded voting rights apply to some 900,000 New Yorkers living and working in the city legally for at least 30 days.
• These noncitizens include legal permanent residents, those with working papers, and so-called “Dreamers” who came to the United States as children.
• The Associated Press reported noncitizens will now be able to cast ballots for mayor, City Council, borough presidents, comptroller, and public advocate, but not in state or federal elections.

New York City Becomes Largest City In The Country To Grant Voting Rights To Noncitizens https://t.co/P758RR75TW pic.twitter.com/sMpCMhDXQ5

— Forbes (@Forbes) January 9, 2022

WHAT CRITICS SAY:

• Local Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to the law, notes Forbes.
• Rep. Nicole Malliotakis tweeted her objections shortly after Adams expressed his support on Saturday: “Why don’t you tell people what the bill actually does: allows 800,000+ non citizens to vote in NYC after 30 days residency, a right reserved for citizens by the New York State Constitution,” wrote Malliotakis, also warning, “We’ll see you in court.”
• “There is nothing more important than preserving the integrity of our election system,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “The government should be working to create more trust in our elections, not less. The right to vote is a sacred right given only to United States citizens. This careless legislation dilutes the voices of American citizens and is not in line with the views of the vast majority of our city. My local colleagues and I pledge to take the city to court and challenge this legislation.”

Democrats throw around the term “voting rights” but in NYC it means non-citizens voting.

In NY, it’s same day registration & universal mail in ballots rejected by voters in November’s referendum. 

In Washington, it means a ban on voter IDs despite 80% of Americans wanting them.

— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) January 9, 2022

BACKGROUND:

• The bill passed the City Council last month in a 33-14 vote despite opposition from some Democratic and Republican lawmakers, Forbes notes.
• Bill de Blasio—Adams’ predecessor—did not sign it before leaving office.