Should Non-Citizens Vote in American Elections?

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns the right to vote. The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution states the following: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” The Nineteenth Amendment adds, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

            These two amendments tell us that the right for American citizens to vote cannot be denied on account of race, color, previous condition of servitude, or sex. Both amendments include the words “the right of citizens of the United States to vote.” This statement does not seem to both liberal states and cities, such as New York City that has recently passed a law allowing foreign citizens to vote in city elections. Foreigners now have the right to vote on the mayor, City Council members, borough presidents, and district attorneys as well as to vote on local ballet measures.

\           Deroy Murdoch is based in Manhattan and recently filed suit in New York Supreme Court with the goal to overturn City Charter Chapter 46-A. His litigation has named the law “the Foreign Citizen Voting Bill.” The law is slated to take effect on January 9, 2023. Murdoch wrote the following: 

Foreign citizens could invade the U.S.-Mexico “border,” penetrate America without permission, request asylum, fly to Westchester Airport aboard one of Joe Biden’s free, clandestine late-night flights; take a cab to Manhattan, and – after 30 days – cast ballots alongside Gotham’s voters who were born in the USA.

New York joins San Francisco, two Vermont cities, and 11 Maryland communities in converting foreign citizens into local voters. Most Americans consider this a sucker punch to the core principle of government deriving its just powers from the consent of the citizens it governs.

Voting by foreign citizens also could fluster overwhelmed election officials. They would have to let foreign citizens vote on local candidates and causes, but bar them from state and federal races.

During a frantic Election Day, what would prevent precinct workers from unwittingly – or even deliberately – handing foreign citizens ballots for local candidates and state-level, congressional, and even presidential aspirants?

            Some people may wonder why Democrats are allowing foreigners to vote in elections. It makes sense when one realizes the reason for the open borders: Black voters are leaving the Democrat Party along with Hispanic voters. The party is searching for new voters, and they are willing to collaborate with foreigners if Americans cast them aside. Murdoch continued his article:

But the New York City law is not just stupid, offensive, and dangerous. It has the added disadvantage of being unconstitutional.

As our lawsuit details, it violates the 15 Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1870: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

My co-plaintiffs and I contend, and the New York City Council’s deliberations confirm, that the new measure dilutes and therefore abridges the votes of New Yorkers, not least Black citizens, because local lawmakers acted “on account of race,” not color-neutral citizenship grounds….

It also grinds its cleats into the New York state Constitution. The latter limits the vote to “every citizen” who is at least age 18 and a 30-day resident.

            All Americans should be grateful the Murdock and his co-defendants are fighting the law in New York City. Hopefully, the idea of giving the vote to noncitizens dies in New York City.