New York’s highest court ruled on Thursday to block a law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. (Tyler A. McNeil/Melissa Sue Gerrits)
Those arguing in favor of the law claimed that a provision in the New York Constitution on the qualifications of voters only guaranteed the right of citizens over 18 to vote while not denying that right to noncitizens.
Chief Judge Rowan Wilson wrote in the decision that the New York state Constitution clearly articulates that only citizens are eligible to vote.
Wilson wrote that under the appellants’ logic, municipalities would be "free to enact legislation that would enable anyone to vote – including… 13-year-old children."
"The New York Constitution as it stands today draws a firm line restricting voting to citizens," he said. "It is plain from the language and restrictions contained in that ‘citizen’ is not meant as a floor, but as a condition of voter eligibility: the franchise extends only to citizens whose right to vote is established by proper proofs."
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The decision blocks a law passed in 2021 that would have made nearly 1 million noncitizens eligible to vote in municipal elections, including for mayor and city council. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)
Joe Borelli, one of the plaintiffs in the case and a former New York City councilman who voted against the law, told Fox News Digital that "the state Constitution and statutes are plainly written and in clear language."
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"This has always been an open and shut case, and it’s embarrassing that the city council fought so hard to skirt the law, undermine the Constitution, and weaken the votes of citizens," he said.
The ruling upholds an earlier decision by a lower court invalidating the law. Associate Judge Jenny Rivera was the only member of the court to dissent.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blue-states-top-court-strikes-down-law-allowing-non-citizens-vote