Boston considers allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in local elections: report
Source: The Hill
BY ARIS FOLLEY - 07/09/18 09:36 AM EDT
Officials in Boston are considering allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, according to the Associated Press.
The City Councils Committee on Government Operations is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss allowing immigrant residents with legal status in the United States to participate in municipal elections.
The purpose of our local government, including the Mayors Office of Immigrant Advancement, is to strengthen the ability of diverse, cultural, and linguistic communities to play an active role in the economic, civic, social and cultural life of the City of Boston, City Council President Andrea Campbell, who requested the hearing, said earlier this year, according to a local ABC affiliate.
The city is reportedly exploring methods that will make its local election more inclusive by allowing participation by legal permanent residents, visa holders and residents who are legally residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/396069-non-us-citizens-may-be-getting-the-right-to-vote-in-boston-report
Roy Rolling
(6,853 posts)In certain areas of Boston like Cambridge near Harvard and MIT non-citizens may sometimes have useful input into elections. But being a resident/citizen of a specific geographic area like a country, city, or state is the "price of admission" to participate in representative democracy and vote.
Blurring those lines, in most cases, is counterproductive.
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Allston, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain; Cambridge is a City in and of itself, it is not part of Boston.
Dopers_Greed
(2,640 posts)And use it nationwide to justify more voter suppression
underpants
(182,271 posts)still_one
(91,937 posts)November elections for Democrats, either intentionally, or because of their stupidity
ebbie15644
(1,208 posts)psychopomp
(4,668 posts)I have lived as an expat for much of my life and I understand that if I want to have a say in how they run their country, I only need to become a citizen and get a new passport. Until that day, I have no rights of citizenship, meaning that I cannot vote. I am okay with that, despite having lived where I do now for quite a long time.
Foreigners who reside in the United States are afforded Constitutional rights. Rights of citizenship have to be earned by making the commitment to becoming a citizen; it is not something to be given, nor accepted, lightly. Just as I should not be able to affect the laws by which society is governed where I live, guests in the USA should abide by laws, not shape them.
Blues Heron
(5,898 posts)they pay taxes, use services etc. they should have a say.
mwooldri
(10,291 posts)I think this is not a good idea. If I want the vote, I should naturalize. Everyone Boston City Council proposes with the exception of DACA people have a path to citizenship.
Also I feel it could put into jeopardy any future requests for permanent resident status or naturalization. Voting as a non citizen is a crime in a lot of areas.
Besides participation in the democratic process is possible for non citizens who are legally resident here. Permanent residents can contribute to political campaigns.
Blues Heron
(5,898 posts)they should be able to vote locally.
still_one
(91,937 posts)republicans to insure we lose in November
We are a f**king circular firing squad, and they are just giving the right wing extremists more fuel
Blues Heron
(5,898 posts)gets people more invested in the communities in which they live legally and permanently. We shouldn't base our policies on what the fascists might think!
still_one
(91,937 posts)you think agree with that point of view, that non-citizens should be able to vote in elections, local or anything else
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)Not federal or even state. The Constitution as far as I can see would have nothing to do with these municipal elections.