Non-Citizens Can't Vote

[Thoughtful Monk]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

[Cow Poke]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

Amen.

[seer]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

[seanD]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

Only we unfortunately don't have voter ID, so how is a little ole law going to stop amoral democrats?

[rogue06]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

IIRC, some of the first to sue over this were blacks who said the move disenfranchised them.

[Starlight]

In my country we let non-citizens vote.

I'm not a fan of it as we have a large Chinese immigrant voting bloc who tend to, initially, have more loyalty to their country of origin than to my country and cast their votes based on what they think benefits China. Waiting until they were citizens of NZ and not of China before they could vote would make more sense.

But in most cases, where that specific issue didn't exist, it probably makes sense to let non-citizens vote, as the old "no taxation without representation" slogan applies.

[Ronson]

In my country we let non-citizens vote.

I'm not a fan of it as we have a large Chinese immigrant voting bloc who tend to, initially, have more loyalty to their country of origin than to my country and cast their votes based on what they think benefits China. Waiting until they were citizens of NZ and not of China before they could vote would make more sense.

But in most cases, where that specific issue didn't exist, it probably makes sense to let non-citizens vote, as the old "no taxation without representation" slogan applies.

But I think that's always going to be an issue with non citizens. Sure, some are just waiting for citizenship to kick in and they have no particular loyalty to their country of origin, but I don't know the percentages.

When I lived in Southern California in the 1980s, I would often go to the Los Angeles Rams football games. Sometimes half the stadium - or more - would show up to cheer for the visiting teams. Because Southern California was largely comprised of non natives who brought their home loyalties with them. You could almost determine the demographics of transplants by the teams that were cheered. The New England Patriots had a huge section every time.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

In my country we let non-citizens vote.

I'm not a fan of it as we have a large Chinese immigrant voting bloc who tend to, initially, have more loyalty to their country of origin than to my country and cast their votes based on what they think benefits China. Waiting until they were citizens of NZ and not of China before they could vote would make more sense.

But in most cases, where that specific issue didn't exist, it probably makes sense to let non-citizens vote, as the old "no taxation without representation" slogan applies.

That is interesting. If non citizens are paying taxes, why should they not be given a vote? I am not sure I entirely agree with the notion, but the slogan you cited does have a pertinent historical resonance.

[Starlight]

But I think that's always going to be an issue with non citizens.

Most of the time the non-citizens' country of origin isn't going to be a major player in world trade and geopolitics and have interests that are misaligned with their new country's interests.

Pretty much large scale Chinese and Russian immigration are going to be the only two that qualify for that. And with Russian immigration it's probably more a case of them escaping their country of origin rather than being loyal to it. So this seems to be solely a China issue, and doesn't extend to other countries.

[Gondwanaland]

I vaguely remember hearing about this when it was passed. New York City passed a law that said non-US citizens could vote in New York City elections.

Well, it failed constitutional muster and was struck down. In this case, it's the NY constitution and NY election law. https://www.whec.com/national/judge-says-nyc-cant-let-noncitizens-vote-in-city-elections/6511622/?cat=10036 The decision, of course, will be appealed.

Boy, when the Democrats have a bad week in the courts, they have a BAD week.

Sounds like it clashes somehow with state law, probably time to change that law.

Personally I have zero issues with a locality or even state allowing noncitizens to vote in local and city elections. It's the national elections that they shouldn't have a say in, IMO.

[Sparko]

That is interesting. If non citizens are paying taxes, why should they not be given a vote?

It's an incentive to become citizens so they can vote. Citizenship has benefits. Like voting. And it tends to ensure that the voters have a vested interest in the government and it's success. You have to take an oath to become a citizen.

[Cow Poke]

It's an incentive to become citizens so they can vote. Citizenship has benefits. Like voting.

Meanwhile, they pay taxes to enjoy the other benefits, like roads and bridges, public services...

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

It's an incentive to become citizens so they can vote. Citizenship has benefits. Like voting. And it tends to ensure that the voters have a vested interest in the government and it's success. You have to take an oath to become a citizen.

As I also noted:

I am not sure I entirely agree with the notion, but the slogan you cited does have a pertinent historical resonance.

[Cow Poke]

As I also noted:

I am not sure I entirely agree with the notion, but the slogan you cited does have a pertinent historical resonance.

Care to share that history as you understand it?

[Sparko]

If you want to vote for leaders in a church, you have to first join that church. If you want to vote for leaders in a club, you first have to join that club. If you want to vote for leaders in a company, you first have to either work/belong at that company, or own stock in the company. Membership has its perks. If you want to vote in elections, become a citizen.