A bill that would expand voting rights to some immigrants who are not US citizens was introduced in late January in the City Council and already has dozens of sponsors. The bill would give the right to vote in city elections to legal permanent residents or those who have a work authorization. To be eligible, a noncitizen with work authorization would have to live in the municipality for at least 30 days. Nowhere is it explained how ballots would be matched to those who are only authorized to vote in city elections and not state or federal. Council Speaker Corey Johnson says the bill is currently being reviewed for its legality. Mayor de Blasio has indicated that he is opposed to the measure, but a bigger obstacle for passage may be the fact that under New York State law you must be a United States citizen in order to vote. It would be nice if the Council understood the laws of the state in which they govern.
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SERVING MIDDLE VILLAGE AND MASPETH SINCE 1938.