NYC to allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections

January 11, 2022 Amber Coakley US 0

Brooklyn Borough President and a Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams greets NYPD officers as participants gather for a march through the financial district during a parade honoring essential workers for their efforts in getting New York City through the COVID-19 pandemic, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in New York. Adams bested a large Democratic field in New York’s first major race to use ranked choice voting. Results from the latest tabulations showed him leading former city sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Mayor Eric Adamsis pictured Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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UPDATED 8:37 AM PT – Tuesday, January 11, 2022

New York City Mayor Eric Adams approved legislation giving more than 800,000 non-citizens access to the ballot box. The Democrat allowed the measure to go into law Sunday and unless a judge stops it’s implementation, the city’s non-U.S. citizens will now have the chance to vote in municipal elections.

This includes Green Card holders and recipients of Deferred Action who have lived in the Big Apple for at least 30 days and those authorized to work in the U.S. He said despite initial concerns, he believes its critical residents of a local municipality have the ability to choose who governs them.

“I believe that people who are here during COVID, our legal residents, they did not flee the city, they stayed here, they provided a service,” Adams stated. “My concerns around the 30 days, I sat down with my colleagues, we came to a good understanding, and I think it’s more important to see the bill move forward and allow it to happen.”

While NYC joins more than a dozen other communities in the U.S. allowing non-citizens to vote, the Republican delegation of New York has not held back in sharing their opposition of the measure. They say it’s a “dangerous attack” on election integrity and unconstitutional, previously stating they would pursue every legal action to see the law struck down.

CNN’s Jake Tapper slams New York City Mayor Eric Adams for allowing non-citizens to vote in his city.

“What do you say to all the people who went through the process — the difficult process — of becoming an American citizen?” pic.twitter.com/oW5ffrx54Q

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 9, 2022

Meanwhile, this is not the first controversial decision the newly appointed mayor has made during his first week. Adams recently hired his younger brother, Bernard Adams, as deputy commissioner to the NYPD who he says is best suited for the job citing an increase in white supremacy and hate crimes.

“My brother has a community affairs background, the balance that I need,” stated the mayor. “He understands law enforcement, he was a 20-year retired veteran from the police department and I need someone that I trust around me during these times for my security. And I trust my brother deeply.”

The Democrat affirmed he doesn’t want to stray away from the public, adding the type of security he wants is unique. In the meantime, Adams said the city’s conflict of interest board is undergoing the process to determine his hire.