New York Court Strikes Down Noncitizen Voting in NYC Elections

The state’s highest court ruled the 2021 law unconstitutional, affirming voting rights are limited to U.S. citizens under the New York Constitution.

The New York Court of Appeals issued a 6-1 decision declaring the 2021 law allowing noncitizens to vote in municipal elections unconstitutional.
The court's majority opinion, written by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, emphasized the New York Constitution's restriction of voting rights to U.S. citizens.
The law, passed by the New York City Council, aimed to enfranchise over 800,000 noncitizens with legal status, including green card holders and DACA recipients.
Republicans, led by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, challenged the law in court, arguing it violated the state constitution and diluted citizens' votes.
This decision concludes a three-year legal battle and underscores ongoing national debates over the role of noncitizens in democratic processes.