Noncitizen vote urged - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Xazy · 11-15-2005, 05:42 AM

In todays New York Post, New York Post they had the following

Quote:

mmigration activists packed a City Council hearing yesterday to demand noncitizens be allowed to vote in municipal elections — an idea Mayor Bloomberg vehemently opposes.

The council is considering whether to let residents who've been in the city six months or longer vote in local elections.

An estimated 1 million New Yorkers, about 20 percent of the adult population, don't have voting rights, although they pay $18.2 billion a year in state income taxes, the activists said.

"We do not have a truly functional democracy when . . . over 70 percent of the voting-age population of certain ethnicities and election districts can't vote," said Bryan Pu-Folkes, of New Immigrant Community Empowerment, before the council's Government Operation's Committee.

But Karen Meara, Bloomberg's director of legislative affairs, said in a letter to the council that the bill was "inconsistent with the state Constitution" and would require a referendum.

I happen to agree with Bloomberg on this. If you want to be able to vote you need to be a citizen. I can work in any other question, and have to pay their taxes, but that does nto entitle me to a vote.

maleficent · 11-15-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xazy

I happen to agree with Bloomberg on this. If you want to be able to vote you need to be a citizen. I can work in any other question, and have to pay their taxes, but that does nto entitle me to a vote.

When I lived in NJ and worked in NYC -- I got hit for NYS and NYC taxes... My tax money was spent, I should have had a voice in how that money was spent...

I honestly wonder if the people who want to give the legal immigrants the right to vote in elections also would be willing to give the residents of Connecticut, NJ and Pa who work and pay taxes (and spend money) in NYC the right to vote there as well...

highthief · 11-15-2005, 09:30 AM

I think here in Ontario, non-citizens can vote in municipal/school board elections as landed immigrants/property tax payers, but not in provincial/federal elections. Couldn't swear to it, but I think so...

I don't have a problem at that level - if you're paying property tax and living in a city full time, why not?

11-15-2005, 09:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	I think here in Ontario, non-citizens can vote in municipal/school board elections as landed immigrants/property tax payers, but not in provincial/federal elections. Couldn't swear to it, but I think so... I don't have a problem at that level - if you're paying property tax and living in a city full time, why not? __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.