GOP vow: Citizen – or no vote
Republicans pledged ThursCouncil day to thwart a City proposal that would allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections — declaring they would take the legislation to court if it passes.
“We are here today pledging action against perhaps the worst idea out of New York City Democrats ever — that’s giving noncitizens the right to vote in local elections,” state GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy said at a press conference outside City Hall.
“We are here to say we pledge action, any means necessary . . . to stop this dangerous legislation undermining our elections,” he vowed. “We will pursue every legal action to see that this dangerous law is struck down.
“Besides being bad policy, it’s unconstitutional, it’s danby gerous and un-American.”
The bill, sponsored Councilman Ydanis Rodríguez, would allow hundreds of thousands of noncitizens to participate in local elections by expanding eligibility to vote for elective posts in the five boroughs.
The measure — supported by a vetoproof majority of the council and set for a vote on Dec. 9 — would not allow noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections.