In a landmark decision, the New York State Court of Appeals has struck down a New York City law that aimed to grant voting rights to non-citizens in municipal elections.
The ruling, issued on Thursday, marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over voting rights in the United States.
The law, passed by the New York City Council in 2021, would have allowed over 800,000 legal permanent residents and other documented non-citizens to participate in local elections, such as those for mayor and city council.
However, the Court of Appeals ruled in a 6-1 decision that this provision violates the New York State Constitution, which restricts voting to U.S. citizens.
Chief Judge Rowan Wilson emphasized that the Constitution “draws a firm line restricting voting to citizens,” underscoring the legal basis for the decision. This ruling comes after a prolonged legal battle initiated by state Republicans, who challenged the law’s constitutionality.
While New York City’s initiative has been halted, several other U.S. cities and towns, including San Francisco and Washington, D.C., continue to allow non-citizens to vote in certain local elections.
This decision highlights the ongoing national conversation about citizenship and voting rights, with implications for future legislative efforts.
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