The finding of the state’s lower court that noncitizens have the right to vote in local municipal elections has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Vermont, which has declared that noncitizens indeed have the right to exercise that right. This historic judgement established Montpelier as a blazing light for equal suffrage and provides an example of progressive democracy. It is a significant decision.
“The statute allowing noncitizens to vote in local Montpelier elections does not violate Chapter II, § 42 because that constitutional provision does not apply to local elections,” the Supreme Court wrote.
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The AP noted further: “In 2021, the Democrat-controlled Vermont Legislature approved two separate bills to change the municipal charters of Montpelier and Winooski, the most diverse community in the state, to allow legal residents who are not U.S. citizens to vote in local elections. Republican Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the measures, but the Legislature overrode his vetoes. The Republican National Committee filed lawsuits against the two Vermont cities asking judges to declare noncitizen voting unconstitutional and lost those challenges. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, including races for president, vice president, Senate or House of Representatives.”
The topic of whether or not non-citizens should be allowed to vote in municipal elections was decided upon by the New York state Supreme Court in June. This decision was a judgement on a dispute that has become more heated over time.
A momentous decision has just been made by members of the City Council in the Big Apple to enable non-citizens to participate in municipal elections and expand voting rights to those who are not citizens of the United States.
Legislators affiliated with the Republican Party were successful in their legal challenge against the provision of the bill that would allow non-citizens to vote. Only citizens are allowed to exercise their right to vote in elections, according to a decision made by the Supreme Court of New York.
New York City recently presented a proposal that, if implemented, would have dramatically expanded civic participation by making around 800,000 more voting chances available to those who are interested in having an effect on the city’s most critical issues. This was considered as a groundbreaking step that allowed inhabitants of New York to have their voice in crucial choices that affected their day-to-day lives. This action was supported by mayors, borough presidents, and school boards.
A newly enacted statute was criticized by Judge Ralph Porzio, who ruled that, according to the rules of New York State, it violates the constitution.
“The New York State Constitution expressly states that citizens meeting the age and residency requirements are entitled to register and vote in elections,” he said.
“Though voting is a right so many citizens take for granted, the City of New York cannot ‘obviate’ the restrictions imposed by the Constitution,” Porzio continued, going on to say that “the weight of the citizens’ vote will be diluted by municipal voters and candidates and political parties alike will need to reconfigure their campaigns.”
In his opinion striking down the statute, Porzio said that “Though Plaintiffs have not suffered harm today, the harm they will suffer is imminent.”
Joe Brelli, a member of the City Council on Staten Island, expressed his approval of the decision and said: “Today’s decision validates those of us who can read the plain English words of our state constitution and state statutes: Noncitizen voting in New York is illegal, and shame on those who thought they could skirt the law for political gain. Opposition to this measure was bipartisan and cut across countless neighborhood and ethnic lines, yet progressives chose to ignore both our constitution and public sentiment in order to suit their aims. I commend the court in recognizing reality and reminding New York’s professional protestor class that the rule of law matters.”
Borelli’s opposition to the law at the time was based on his belief that “someone who has lived here for 30 days will have a say in how we raise our taxes, our debt, and long-term pension liabilities. These are things people who are temporary residents should not have a say in.”
By advocating for a reduction in the voting age from 18 to 16, the Democrats are making an attempt to guarantee that the opinions of young people can be heard in political discourse. However, this firm stance on youth activism is in direct opposition to their position on other rights that are traditionally associated with adulthood, such as the purchase of firearms, tobacco, and alcohol; all of these are activities that they continue to be opposed to allowing those under the age of 21 to participate in.
