Frederick, Maryland seeks foreign nationals’ involvement in elections.
Democrats Push for Noncitizen Voting in Local Elections
Despite their concerns about “Russian interference” in the 2016 election, Democrats seem unconcerned about foreign nationals voting in local U.S. elections.
In a recent development that went largely unnoticed by the national media, the city of Frederick, Maryland, took a step closer to legalizing noncitizen voting in its municipal elections. According to The Frederick News-Post, the city’s charter review committee reaffirmed its plans to allow residents ”to vote in city elections regardless of their immigration status.” With an estimated 6,400 voting age noncitizens in Frederick, this represents a significant portion of potential votes, especially considering that only 10,546 residents voted in the city’s recent municipal election.
The committee had previously recommended allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections during a meeting on October 5. However, they removed language specifying that only individuals in the country legally would be permitted to vote.
Original Proposal:
The City shall explore extending voting rights to documented noncitizen residents (that is with an identified address in the city and living in the country legally: i.e., with a Green card, visa, tax identification number or work permit, etc.). This will require the city to develop a separate voting roll of such persons.
The committee decided to recommend “extend voting rights” instead of “explore extending voting.” They also removed terms like “documented,” “living in the country legally,” and references to work permits and green cards.
The committee is expected to finalize its recommendation and additional proposals at a meeting on November 2. After public comment, a final vote is scheduled for November 30. The committee will then submit the proposals to the Frederick mayor and Board of Aldermen.
This push to grant illegal aliens the right to vote is not unique to Frederick. Democrats across the country are spearheading efforts to undermine the American electoral system by allowing noncitizen voting in municipal elections. Several Democrat-led cities in states like Maryland and California have already adopted measures to permit noncitizen voting, despite their state constitutions forbidding it. Rhode Island Democrats also introduced legislation to grant noncitizens voting privileges, but the bill did not advance.
Washington, D.C. passed legislation last year allowing foreign nationals to vote in local elections, and efforts by House Republicans to revoke the law have been blocked by Senate Democrats.
These efforts by Democrats to allow illegal aliens to vote in U.S. elections contradict their outrage over Russian interference in 2016. They claimed that Russia’s interference was an attack on American democracy, yet they are now actively pushing for noncitizen voting rights. Their baseless accusations against Donald Trump and his campaign colluding with Russia were debunked, but the Democrats and their allies in the media continued to spread conspiracies.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
How does the push for noncitizen voting in local elections relate to the broader discussions around equity, fairness, and citizenship
That noncitizens be allowed to vote without any specifications regarding their immigration status. This means that any resident, regardless of their legal status, would be eligible to vote in local elections in Frederick.
This move by the charter review committee has sparked a debate among local officials and residents. Proponents of noncitizen voting argue that it promotes inclusivity and gives a voice to all members of the community, regardless of their citizenship status. They believe that noncitizens who pay taxes and contribute to the local economy should have a say in local government decisions.
Opponents, on the other hand, raise concerns about the integrity of the voting process and the potential for foreign interference. They argue that allowing noncitizens to vote opens the door for illegal immigrants and non-residents to influence local elections.
This debate is not unique to Frederick. Several other cities across the United States have also considered or implemented noncitizen voting in local elections. In fact, 11 municipalities in Maryland already allow noncitizens to vote in their town council or school board elections.
The push for noncitizen voting is largely led by Democrats who argue that it is a matter of equity and fairness. They claim that denying voting rights to noncitizens is a form of discrimination and that it is important to include all residents in the democratic process.
However, critics point out that citizenship is a fundamental requirement for voting in most countries around the world. They argue that the privilege of voting should be reserved for citizens who have a vested interest in the country’s future and have demonstrated their commitment by going through the naturalization process.
The issue of noncitizen voting is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion and controversy in the coming years. As more cities consider or implement this policy, the impact and consequences will become clearer. It remains to be seen whether noncitizen voting in local elections will become a widespread practice in the United States or if it will remain a controversial and divisive issue.
Regardless of where one stands on the matter, it is crucial for policymakers and the public to engage in a thoughtful and informed debate to weigh the pros and cons, consider the potential consequences, and ensure that the democratic process remains secure and representative of the will of the people.
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