Boston City Council Democrats are seeking to offer voting rights to non-citizens, according to a new measure.
The proposal would allow foreign nationals to participate in municipal elections if they hold a green card or other form of legal status.
"Democrats on the Boston City Council are looking to extend local voting rights to foreign nationals in the United States on visas, green cards, and other forms of legal status." https://t.co/ECM1RGI9Pd
— Peter Schweizer (@peterschweizer) November 17, 2023
"Though immigrants, particularly those with legal status, pay taxes and contribute to Boston’s economy, they are not able to participate in the electoral process, in what I believe is a violation of one of our foundational American principles," Councilwoman Kendra Lara (D) said in a statement.
"By moving this home rule petition forward, Boston can begin the process of making good on our promise to build a city that is for everyone," she added.
California City to Let Voters Decide on Non-Citizen Voting https://t.co/ESRf383Y3r
— Tee (@LatanneRene) November 17, 2023
Boston is not alone in the effort, with other Democrat-led cities pushing a variety of non-citizen voting programs.
"Non-U.S. citizens in Santa Ana, California, could vote in local elections by 2028 after a majority of the city’s councilors approved Nov. 7 putting the question before voters in next year’s Nov. 5 election," the Epoch Times reported.
"Mayor Valerie Amezcua voted no against the proposed ballot measure, alongside councilors Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza," it continued.
Wisconsin Sends Amendments Banning ‘Zuckbucks,’ Noncitizen Voting To Voters For Approvalhttps://t.co/DYUtrn9lgf
— The Federalist (@FDRLST) November 10, 2023
In Wisconsin, voters were given the opportunity to decide on a state amendment to limit voting only to citizens.
"Wisconsin Republicans also passed SJR 71, which aims to tighten current constitutional provisions to ensure noncitizens can’t vote in the state’s elections," the Federalist reported.
"While Wisconsin’s current constitution'provides that every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in Wisconsin is a qualified elector of that district,' SJR 71 would specify that 'only a United States citizen age 18 or older is a qualified elector and only such a qualified elector may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum,'" it noted.
The non-citizen voting push has only come from Democrats and has interestingly come following a border crisis under President Joe Biden allowing millions of new migrants into the nation.
