Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues in calling for the passage of legislation (A.9095) that would amend the state Constitution to reserve the right to vote in state elections to American citizens.
Their push to pass the legislation comes in response to the passage of a policy by the New York City Council that allows non-citizens to vote in the city’s elections. Concerned that similar efforts could be undertaken in the future by progressive, activist lawmakers to implement such a policy at the state level, Hawley and his colleagues aim to bolster election integrity by passing this bill.
“The places we live, how we provide for ourselves and our families, and the laws we live by are molded by the elections that determine our representatives in government,” said Hawley. “Allowing people who are here illegally to have a say in our laws places criminals before law-abiding citizens. More than that, it will make it even more difficult to ensure the integrity of our elections, jeopardizing the faith people have in state government itself.”
At one time not long ago,
At one time not long ago, common sense would tell you that you needed to be a citizen of a country before you could vote in that country's elections.. May I suggest to Mr. Hawley that he add to this legislation that you must be a citizen before you can run for elected office..
The Constitution of the
The Constitution of the United States clearly states that you need be a citizen to vote and run. Unfortunately there seems to be a difference in state and local laws. This is a fungus that needs to be cleared up before it gets out of hand. For example you need not be anything to vote in the school budget.(other than a land owner. You could be Chinese and vote. Should have been cleared up years ago.