In what could be a potentially important ruling for election integrity, the New York Supreme Court strikes down New York's law allowing non-citizens to vote.
The new voting rules were approved by New York's City Council in December and sparked heavy Republican opposition and debates about who should have the right to vote. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio and new Mayor Eric Adams both declined to veto, supported the legislation, despite the latter's questioning of a residency requirement in the legislation. The requirement granted noncitizens the right to vote in local elections if they can prove they've lived in New York City for 30 days.
New York City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, center, speaks during a rally on the steps of City Hall ahead of a City Council vote to allow lawful permanent residents to cast votes in elections to pick the mayor (Dec. 9, 2021)
The court struck down the law on June 27, and rules:
there is “no statutory ability for the City of New York to issue inconsistent laws permitting noncitizens to vote and exceed the authority granted to it.”
Other Democrats, have also introduced legislations that would allow noncitizens to vote, including Senator Celina Villanueva from Illinois. While the blue state of Maryland is a state that does not require decisions about noncitizen voting to be made or approved at the state level. Today, 11 cities and towns in Maryland allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, and two jurisdictions in Vermont have voted to authorize it.
Congress passed a law in 1996 barring noncitizens from participating in federal elections with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. It limits participation in presidential and congressional elections to U.S. citizens.
Democrats and left-leaning pundits had hoped the legislation would have far-reaching impact on the nation's political landscape because the agenda "made it" to New York and noncitizens finally had the chance to shape American local elections. New York City has just under 5 million active registered voters, and the 800,000 would've reshaped New York politics significantly.
In other new, did you hear? SCOTUS also affirms religious liberty and First Amendment rights by ruling in favor of Joseph Kennedy in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. The high school football coach was wrongfully fired for saying a quiet prayer of thanks after games.
What a week it has been for SCOTUS, they're upholding the constitution that founded this great nation.
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