editorial
Grant non-citizens the right to vote
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 one 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 fi rst 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 offi ces
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 stifl ed and denied
power at the polls. And even though
we contribute fi nancially 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 fi rst-hand the crucial role
immigrants play in our city as essential
workers. Throughout this ongoing pandemic,
immigrant New Yorkers have
BRONX TIMES R 12 EPORTER, MAY 21-27, 2021 BTR
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, and offi ce 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
one million non-citizen New Yorkers will
not only boost voter turnout numbers,
but also make it more diffi cult 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 fi ght 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 towards full citizenship. It will
also fi nally create a voting landscape
that truly refl ects the diversity of New
York City.
Melissa John is a Trinidadian born
US Green Cardholder and Founder of
RepresentWe, an initiative that provides
a platform for civic engagement to empower
immigrant communities.
File photo
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