Grant non-citizen New Yorkers the right to vote
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 21-MAY 27, 2021 17
BY MELISSA JOHN
It is no secret that throughout
history, Black and Brown people in
America have been shut out of the
democratic process and effectively
silenced.
Now, we have an opportunity to
create a more inclusive city by passing
Intro 1867, a local law that would
allow nearly 1 million permanent
residents, like myself, who call New
York City home, a chance to vote in
our upcoming local elections.
The passing of this law is a first
and critical step in eradicating the
inequities immigrant communities
face.
Expanding voting rights is New
York City’s opportunity to take the
lead in addressing the pervasive
marginalization immigrants face.
This bill would permit Legal
Permanent Residents (green card
holders) and those with work authorizations
to vote in municipal elections
for offices like mayor and City
Council.
Moreover, although municipal
non-citizen voting currently exists
in several other municipalities in
the U.S. — including in California
and Maryland — the passage of Intro
1867 in New York City would be
a catalyst for immigrant suffrage
rights in large cities, especially
now, when immigrants have been
so essential during this pandemic
and will be critical to the country’s
recovery.
I myself am a green card holder
who has never had the opportunity
to participate in an election, despite
paying taxes for more than 20 years.
Immigrants are the cornerstone of
New York City’s culture and commerce,
yet we continue to have our
political voices stif led and denied
power at the polls.
And even though we contribute
financially to the neighborhoods
and boroughs we call home, we cannot
fully participate in democracy
or hold our local leaders accountable.
But now more than ever, New
Yorkers have seen firsthand the
crucial role immigrants play in our
city as essential workers.
Throughout this ongoing pandemic,
immigrant New Yorkers
have risked their lives to care for
the sick as medical professionals
and home health aides; delivered
our groceries; kept gas stations
open and the lights on in our local
pharmacies; and kept medical facilities,
residential buildings and
office buildings clean.
Simply put, many immigrants
put themselves and their families’
lives in harm’s way to help keep
countless of their fellow New Yorkers
safe.
This June, while registered voters
elect a new mayor, city comptroller,
public advocate and over
30 City Council seats, nearly 1 million
of my fellow immigrant New
Yorkers will not have the chance to
make their voices heard in one of
the most consequential elections of
our lifetimes.
The reality is that without a say
in who our local elected leaders
are, we are essentially being left
out of every critical decision that
affects our families and communities.
Granting the vote to nearly 1
million non-citizen New Yorkers
will not only boost voter turnout
numbers, but also make it more difficult
for local leaders to ignore our
needs.
We are hardworking taxpayers
who form part of our city’s civic
fabric and we deserve to have a seat
at the table when it comes to deciding
how our tax dollars are spent.
We have the right to have a voice
on how public schools and hospitals
are run and to fight for affordable
housing in our neighborhoods.
Continuous engagement in the
democratic process is a revolutionary
act. Intro 1867 will provide immigrants
with the tools to fully engage
in the political process while
moving forward on the path toward
full citizenship. It will also finally
create a voting landscape that truly
ref lects the diversity of New York
City.
Melissa John is a Trinidadianborn
U.S. green card holder and
founder of RepresentWe, an initiative
that provides a platform for civic
engagement to empower immigrant
communities.
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