10
Sep
Opponents of Voting Rights for Illegal Aliens Called ‘Racist’
From New York Sun
In advance of the 2009 citywide elections, a coalition of immigrant and advocacy organizations is reigniting a fight to give noncitizens the right to vote in municipal elections, drawing the ire of opponents who argue that voting is a right for American citizens only.
At a rally outside City Hall yesterday organized by the New York Coalition to Expand Voting Rights, supporters of a City Council bill that would extend voting rights to 1.3 million noncitizens.
He suggested that those opposed to giving noncitizens the right to vote might be motivated by racism.
The Republican leader of the council, James Oddo of Staten Island, said it’s a ridiculous idea to allow noncitizens to vote, and that supporters of the council bill should be using their energy to help noncitizens become citizens.