WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MAY 20, 2021 13
Grant non-citizen New Yorkers 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 eff ectively
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 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
suff rage 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 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 fi rsthand 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 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
OP-ED
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 fi ght for aff ordable
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 fi nally create a voting landscape
that truly refl ects the diversity
of New York City.
Melissa John is a Trinidadian-born
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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