An interesting idea. After thinking about it(I am Pro-deportation and actually support what ICE does), I honestly think its not a bad idea to get legal immigrants who are not citizens a say in a local government. This should obviously not extend to State and federal level government, but in a more localized setting… Read more
I wouldn’t automatically reject this idea simply because I never considered it. I would not assume that voting == citizenship any more than I would assume citizenship == voting (it does not, of course). Read more
No. I favor a path to citizenship and equal rights for citizens and non-citizens alike, and I hate how immigrants both legal and otherwise are being scapegoated and targeted by the current administration. But I don’t support this. You have to be a citizen to vote, and that’s how it should be. Read more
I think many people’s first reaction to this is to consider illegal or undocumented residents voting, which would be fraught with disaster. But I have no problem with permanent residents, green card holders, etc., participating in elections. They have some skin in the game, too. Why shouldn’t they have some input? Read more
The lengths to which some commenters have gone to ignore the substance of this article and your arguments, and resort to “but illegals!”, is too sad to be funny. Read more
1. Still less than they take out of the system according to most economists that don’t work for immigration advocacy groups. Read more
Thank you so much for this comment!
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It’s not exactly difficult to manage. Here (Ireland), anyone resident and over 18 can register to vote. And that’s not even an issue; the electoral register teams will be going house-to-house next month to check the register, and if you’ve moved or just turned 18, as long as you’re present when they call, with your… Read more
I have no problem with LEGAL citizen’s being allowed to vote in local and state elections after they have resided in the state or city for a certain period of time. The problem is when our politicians start turning a blind eye or even encouraging illegal immigrants to vote. Both parties benefit too much from illegal…
I like this idea. I’m for throwing out virtually all regulation around immigration - check people for communicable diseases and let them all in. Once they’ve lived here for a while, let them vote. I’m also in favor of allowing convicted felons to vote, even while they’re incarcerated. More people living in this… Read more
I read the headline and thought of how to politely tell you how wrong you are. Then I read the column and you make a fantastic argument. I would prefer it to be limited to municipal elections, and to have residency length requirements, but you make a very good case for it. Read more
What about someone who is eligible for citizenship but hasn’t taken it out because it would invalidate their citizenship in the nation they were born in? Read more
Who are the “these people” you’re talking about? Is it these folks? Read more
Three additional links of note: Read more
Saying that the U.S. was “built on the idea of no taxation without representation” is reductive if not just plain wrong. But sure, if you want to revert to only land-owning men having the right to vote, I’m sure we can include immigrants in that edict. Read more