New York City’s Noncitizen Voting Law Struck Down; New York Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Allowing Non-Citizens to Vote in Local Elections

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New York City’s Noncitizen Voting Law Struck Down:

Staten Island judge says measure violates state constitution

A New York City law that would have allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections was struck down Monday by a Staten Island judge who said the measure violates the state constitution.

State Supreme Court Justice Ralph J. Porzio said in his ruling that the New York State Constitution grants voting rights to citizens who meet age and residency requirements.

“Though voting is a right so many citizens take for granted, the city of New York cannot ‘obviate’ the restrictions imposed by the Constitution,” Justice Porzio wrote.

His ruling invalidated a city law that would have allowed more than 800,000 lawful permanent residents or those authorized to work in the U.S. to vote in municipal elections beginning in 2023, including races for mayor, public advocate and other city positions. The law doesn’t grant voting rights to immigrants who entered the country illegally.

Republican officials filed a lawsuit in early January challenging the law as soon as it went into effect.

Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, which was among the plaintiffs, applauded Justice Porzio’s ruling in a statement on Twitter. --->READ MORE HERE

Carlo Allegri/Reuters

New York Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Allowing Non-Citizens to Vote in Local Elections:

The New York Supreme Court on Monday struck down a recently passed law that allows non-citizens to vote in local elections.

The New York City council passed a bill in December allowing legal residents, including those with green cards to vote in local elections beginning in 2023. The “Our City, Our Vote” bill became law in January.

The law, which would’ve allowed an estimated 800,000 adults to vote for offices including mayor, was brought to the Supreme Court after Republican lawmakers filed a suit in the Staten Island Supreme Court.

Staten Island Justice Ralph J. Porzio wrote that giving non-citizens the right to vote would require a referendum, according to the New York Times.

“The New York State Constitution expressly states that citizens meeting the age and residency requirements are entitled to register and vote in elections,” Porzio wrote, according to the New York Daily News. --->READ MORE HERE

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