A New York appeals court upheld a previous ruling striking down a New York City law that would have allowed nearly 1 million non-citizens to vote in local elections.
The law, passed in 2022, would have given green card holders, visa holders and others the right to vote after 30 days of residency.
It was challenged by Black voters, naturalized citizens, Republican groups and a Democrat councilman.
A lower court ruled the law violated the state constitution’s limitation of voting to U.S. citizens.
The appeals court agreed and declared the law “null and void.”
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, which filed suit alleging the law violated the U.S. Constitution and Voting Rights Act, said the ruling prevents foreign interference in city elections.
“The Public Interest Legal Foundation’s lawsuit shows that not only did this foreign citizen voting law violate New York’s laws but also the U.S. Constitution and Voting Rights Act,” PILF President J. Christian Adams said. “Members of the New York City Council made explicit statements that race was the motivation behind this voting law. In America, we do not allow race-based voting restrictions.”
The court also suggested the law could eventually give non-citizens elected office and make foreign voters over 15% of the electorate.
