For ads-free news, click here.
From the New York Post: The Big Apple’s controversial law allowing noncitizens to vote in city elections was struck down by the state’s highest court Thursday.
New York Court of Appeals judges found in 6-1 opinion that the law – passed by the City Council in late 2021 – violated the state constitution.
“Whatever the future may bring, the New York Constitution as it stands today draws a firm line restricting voting to citizens,” the opinion states.
The ruling closes the matter in the state’s court and dashes hopes by many lefty City Council members and advocates that the city’s 800,000 green card holders get a voice in local elections.
Although New York’s state constitution appears to clearly limit voting to US citizens, supporters of the “Local Law 11” bill had argued that noncitizens in the U.S. legally should be able to vote, claiming that they also pay taxes and make contributions to their communities.
In its opinion, the court wrote, “This appeal is not about whether enfranchising noncitizens to vote in municipal elections is good policy. That is a political question expressly reserved for local legislative bodies.”
More from Fox5:
Local Law 11, enacted in 2022, would allow anyone living in New York City to vote for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president and City Council.
According to estimates, it would have allowed an additional 800,000 noncitizens in NYC eligible to register to vote, according to a Politico report.
The bill was purportedly intended to address representation concerns in a city with 40% of its population being foreign-born.
State Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Staten Island Republican, told Politico, “It’s hard to discuss because it’s crazy it’s even an issue. Citizens ought to vote; if you’re not a citizen of a country, you should not have a say.”
Conservatives are cheering the major win:
🚨JUST IN🚨
New York’s highest court just ruled against NYC’s law allowing non-citizens to vote.
Voting is limited to citizens, the court ruled.
It was a 6-to-1 decision. pic.twitter.com/BJESjvLsvK
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) March 20, 2025
The New York Republican Party wrote, “New York‘s highest court today upheld the fact that ONLY CITIZENS MAY VOTE in our elections. A great victory for election integrity!”
New York’s highest court today upheld the fact that ONLY CITIZENS MAY VOTE in our elections. A great victory for election integrity! pic.twitter.com/acwCY6EIyg
— New York GOP (@NewYorkGOP) March 20, 2025
However, Elon Musk brought the celebrations back to reality, pointing out that New York STILL has NO VOTER ID requirements.
Not exactly killed their plans.
No ID is required to vote in New York, so they will now continue using non-citizen votes illegally.
But it will be harder.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 20, 2025
BREAKING: New York’s highest court just STRUCK DOWN the NYC law that would’ve let over 800,000 noncitizens vote.
The court rejected Democrats’ argument 6–1, declaring voting is a right reserved for U.S. citizens only. pic.twitter.com/rxQOfqOQOP
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 20, 2025
New York’s top court on Thursday struck down a city law that would have allowed noncitizens to vote in local New York City elections. https://t.co/CC19QO8gxL
— FOX 5 NY (@fox5ny) March 20, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
