I’m suing to block New York City’s racist foreign-citizen-voting bill

The New York Metropolis Council handed Metropolis Constitution Chapter 46-A, which might enable some non-citizens to vote in metropolis elections.
Photograph by Spencer Platt/Getty Pictures

I not too long ago was delighted to sue New York Metropolis’s Board of Elections. 

Along with Public Curiosity Authorized Basis, co-plaintiffs Phyllis Coachman, Anthony Gilhuys, Katherine James and I filed swimsuit in New York Supreme Courtroom Feb. 2. We purpose to overturn Metropolis Constitution Chapter 46-A, which our litigation dubs the International Citizen Voting Invoice. Handed by the Metropolis Council Dec. 9, FCVB lets international residents vote in Gotham’s native elections. 

Beginning Jan. 9, 2023, this absurdity would empower international residents to select our mayor, Metropolis Council, borough presidents and district attorneys and determine native poll measures. These new voters would come with green-card-bearing authorized immigrants and even unlawful aliens beneath federal safety, equivalent to asylum seekers and DACA designees.

International residents may invade the US-Mexico “border,” penetrate America with out permission, request asylum, fly to Westchester Airport aboard one among Joe Biden’s free, clandestine, late-night flights, cab it to Manhattan and — after 30 days — solid ballots beside Gotham’s voters who have been born within the USA. 

New York joins San Francisco, two Vermont cities and 11 Maryland communities in changing international residents into native voters. Most People take into account this a sucker punch to the core precept of presidency deriving its simply powers from the consent of the residents it governs.

The “International Citizen Voting Invoice” is being challenged in court docket by Deroy Murdock, Phyllis Coachman, Anthony Gilhuys and Katherine James along side Public Curiosity Authorized Basis.

Photograph by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Company/Getty Pictures

International-citizen-voting additionally may fluster overwhelmed election officers. They must let international residents vote on native candidates and causes however bar them from state and federal races. 

Throughout a frantic Election Day, what would stop precinct employees from unwittingly — and even intentionally — handing international residents ballots for native candidates and state-level, congressional and even presidential aspirants? 

What fuels this train? The enfranchisement of 800,000 international voters, most of whom possible will vote Democrat.

DOT Commissioner and former Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez claimed the invoice would improve the political clout of the Hispanic and Asian communities within the metropolis.

Paul Martinka

The Democratic left, which pushed FCVB, is rarely happy. Because it relentlessly mutilates America, its subsequent demand shall be for international votes in state races. 

After which — why not? — “Allow them to solid ballots for Congress and for president!”

Disagree? Racist! 

However FCVB is not only silly, offensive and harmful. It has the added drawback of being unconstitutional. 

Councilman Antonio Reynoso mentioned that the invoice is being opposed by a “sea of principally white males” who're attempting to hold on to energy and affect.

Paul Martinka

As our lawsuit particulars, FCVB violates the fifteenth Modification to the US Structure, adopted in 1870: “The best of residents of the US to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of race, coloration, or earlier situation of servitude.” 

My co-plaintiffs and I contend, and the New York Metropolis Council’s deliberations verify, that FCVB dilutes and due to this fact abridges the votes of New Yorkers, not least black residents, as a result of native lawmakers acted “on account of race,” not color-neutral citizenship grounds. 

• Council Majority Chief Laurie Cumbo mentioned that “this specific laws goes to shift the ability dynamics in New York Metropolis in a significant method, and we wouldn't have the numbers or the data to understand how that's going to impression African-American communities.” In a unadorned expression of tribalism, she added: “We’re all right here to help our ethnic teams, and we’re all right here to be sure that all of us win.” 

• Councilman Antonio Reynoso complained about “this sea of principally white males which have stood up in opposition to this invoice at this second in an effort to protect their energy and affect.” 

• Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez mentioned that as a result of “this metropolis has modified the colour of the pores and skin of individuals coming to this metropolis, then we modify who shall be voting on this metropolis.” Rodriguez switched to Spanish and declared that FCVB would improve the political clout of New Yorkers of Hispanic and Asian heritage.

FCVB additionally grinds its cleats into the New York state Structure, which limits the vote to “each citizen” who's not less than age 18 and a 30-day resident. 

This outrage deserves to be strangled in its crib. A choose ought to do the honors — with all deliberate velocity. 

Phyllis Coachman, Anthony Gilhuys, Katherine James and I eagerly await our day in court docket.