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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

New York Moves to Allow 800,000 Noncitizens to Vote in Local Elections

The article notes the final vote (over the mayor's opposition, but with a veto proof majority) is due on December 9th. A few towns allow this, but this is the first (recent) case of a large city doing so. I'm all for it. The new mayor will look into it.

There is a concern it will "weaken" the power of citizens. Okay. A tenth of the city's population, legally residing here, should have a say on local government. You can debate how long they should be here. But, it is quite okay if they have a voice. As to discouraging citizenship, I doubt that is a major driver, or overwhelms the other positives, including providing them an incentive to be an educated part of the community at large.

Apparently, state law allows it. Meanwhile, SCOTUS took a voting case on a procedural ground today. Not sure why it wasn't part of the Order List.

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