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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Mon Jul 9, 2018, 09:42 AM Jul 2018

Boston considers allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in local elections: report

Source: The Hill

BY ARIS FOLLEY - 07/09/18 09:36 AM EDT

Officials in Boston are considering allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, according to the Associated Press.

The City Council’s Committee on Government Operations is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss allowing immigrant residents with legal status in the United States to participate in municipal elections.

“The purpose of our local government, including the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Advancement, is to strengthen the ability of diverse, cultural, and linguistic communities to play an active role in the economic, civic, social and cultural life of the City of Boston,” City Council President Andrea Campbell, who requested the hearing, said earlier this year, according to a local ABC affiliate.

The city is reportedly exploring methods that will make its local election more inclusive by allowing participation by legal permanent residents, visa holders and residents who are legally residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/396069-non-us-citizens-may-be-getting-the-right-to-vote-in-boston-report

15 replies

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Boston considers allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in local elections: report (Original Post) DonViejo Jul 2018 OP

Be Careful Roy Rolling Jul 2018 #1

The City of Boston is comprised of Boston proper, South Boston, East Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury,.. DonViejo Jul 2018 #5

The RW is going to be all over this Dopers_Greed Jul 2018 #2

Yep. Exactly what I was thinking. underpants Jul 2018 #6

I am more and more convinced that there are elements who are actually trying to sabotage the still_one Jul 2018 #9

I don't agree with this at all ebbie15644 Jul 2018 #3

This is the opposite of a good idea psychopomp Jul 2018 #4

they're legal permanent residents voting in local elections Blues Heron Jul 2018 #10

I'm one of those who could theoretically vote if passed mwooldri Jul 2018 #7

It's for legal permanent residents not tourists Blues Heron Jul 2018 #11

That is absolutely bullshit. Whose Brillant idea is this. All this is doing is given propaganda to still_one Jul 2018 #8

It's actually a good idea Blues Heron Jul 2018 #12

No it isn't. Become a citizen, then you can vote. Read the Constitution. How many Americans do still_one Jul 2018 #13

These are local elections RhodeIslandOne Jul 2018 #14

I don't agree with this idea rockfordfile Jul 2018 #15

Roy Rolling

(6,918 posts)

1. Be Careful

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 09:55 AM

Jul 2018

In certain areas of Boston like Cambridge near Harvard and MIT non-citizens may sometimes have useful input into elections. But being a resident/citizen of a specific geographic area like a country, city, or state is the "price of admission" to participate in representative democracy and vote.

Blurring those lines, in most cases, is counterproductive.

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)

5. The City of Boston is comprised of Boston proper, South Boston, East Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury,..

Reply to Roy Rolling (Reply #1)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 10:14 AM

Jul 2018

Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Allston, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain; Cambridge is a City in and of itself, it is not part of Boston.

Dopers_Greed

(2,640 posts)

2. The RW is going to be all over this

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 09:56 AM

Jul 2018

And use it nationwide to justify more voter suppression

underpants

(182,829 posts)

6. Yep. Exactly what I was thinking.

Reply to Dopers_Greed (Reply #2)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 10:25 AM

Jul 2018

still_one

(92,219 posts)

9. I am more and more convinced that there are elements who are actually trying to sabotage the

Reply to Dopers_Greed (Reply #2)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 11:42 AM

Jul 2018

November elections for Democrats, either intentionally, or because of their stupidity

ebbie15644

(1,215 posts)

3. I don't agree with this at all

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 09:56 AM

Jul 2018

psychopomp

(4,668 posts)

4. This is the opposite of a good idea

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 10:09 AM

Jul 2018

I have lived as an expat for much of my life and I understand that if I want to have a say in how they run their country, I only need to become a citizen and get a new passport. Until that day, I have no rights of citizenship, meaning that I cannot vote. I am okay with that, despite having lived where I do now for quite a long time.

Foreigners who reside in the United States are afforded Constitutional rights. Rights of citizenship have to be earned by making the commitment to becoming a citizen; it is not something to be given, nor accepted, lightly. Just as I should not be able to affect the laws by which society is governed where I live, guests in the USA should abide by laws, not shape them.

Blues Heron

(5,938 posts)

10. they're legal permanent residents voting in local elections

Reply to psychopomp (Reply #4)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 04:19 PM

Jul 2018

they pay taxes, use services etc. they should have a say.

mwooldri

(10,303 posts)

7. I'm one of those who could theoretically vote if passed

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 11:20 AM

Jul 2018

I think this is not a good idea. If I want the vote, I should naturalize. Everyone Boston City Council proposes with the exception of DACA people have a path to citizenship.

Also I feel it could put into jeopardy any future requests for permanent resident status or naturalization. Voting as a non citizen is a crime in a lot of areas.

Besides participation in the democratic process is possible for non citizens who are legally resident here. Permanent residents can contribute to political campaigns.

Blues Heron

(5,938 posts)

11. It's for legal permanent residents not tourists

Reply to mwooldri (Reply #7)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 04:21 PM

Jul 2018

they should be able to vote locally.

still_one

(92,219 posts)

8. That is absolutely bullshit. Whose Brillant idea is this. All this is doing is given propaganda to

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 11:39 AM

Jul 2018

republicans to insure we lose in November

We are a f**king circular firing squad, and they are just giving the right wing extremists more fuel

Blues Heron

(5,938 posts)

12. It's actually a good idea

Reply to still_one (Reply #8)

Mon Jul 9, 2018, 04:22 PM

Jul 2018

gets people more invested in the communities in which they live legally and permanently. We shouldn't base our policies on what the fascists might think!