New York Court Declares Noncitizen Voting Law Unconstitutional

News Summary

The New York Court of Appeals has ruled that a city law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections is unconstitutional. This decision, made on March 20, 2025, follows a lower court ruling and reinforces the requirement of citizenship for voting under New York State law. The law, pushed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, never went into effect and faced legal challenges from opponents who argued it breached the state constitution. The ruling has sparked mixed responses about the balance between voting rights and civic engagement.

New York Court Rules Noncitizen Voting Law Unconstitutional

In a momentous decision for the Empire State, the New York Court of Appeals has struck down a city law that would have allowed noncitizens to cast their votes in local elections. This ruling came down on March 20, 2025, and reinforces a previous decision made by a lower court. The law, which was designed to include around 800,000 legal permanent residents in the voting process for city elections, was never put into action.

A Bit of Background

This law, officially named Local Law 11, was pushed through during the tenure of former Mayor Bill de Blasio. Interestingly, neither de Blasio nor his successor, current Mayor Eric Adams, vetoed or signed the controversial law, allowing it to automatically take effect in January 2022. However, the court’s recent ruling means that the city will have to look elsewhere for ways to engage its noncitizen population.

What the Court Said

Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson stated that according to the State Constitution, citizenship is a requirement for voting. The court ruled with a clear 6-1 majority against the City of New York and an immigrant civil rights organization that argued for broader voting rights. Critics, particularly from the Republican side of the aisle, had consistently voiced concerns that granting voting rights to noncitizens would be a breach of the New York state constitution, which explicitly asserts that “every citizen shall be entitled to vote at every election for all officers elected by the people.”

Wider Implications

Many supporters of Local Law 11 had anticipated that its implementation could pave the way for noncitizens—like green card holders, recipients of work authorization, and DACA holders—to participate in essential local elections, including those for mayor, City Council, and public advocate positions. It was seen as a step toward inclusivity in a city that prides itself on its diversity.

Legal Challenge

The initial challenge to the law began shortly after it was enacted, led by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. He and other opponents argued that this untested approach could lead to ludicrous results, such as minors being allowed to vote, based on an overly lenient interpretation of what constitutes a “citizen.” The law encountered quite a few judicial hurdles, first being blocked by a judge in June 2022 before ultimately reaching the Court of Appeals.

Responses to the Ruling

The court’s decision has garnered mixed reactions. On one hand, those who had been advocating for the law viewed it as a lost opportunity for increased civic engagement. On the other hand, the ruling is lauded by many as a necessary affirmation of the importance of voting as a right reserved for U.S. citizens. Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, a Republican who was involved in the legal challenge, expressed happiness with the outcome, emphasizing the significance of protecting voting rights for American citizens.

What Lies Ahead

As New York City moves forward, the question looms as to how the local government will engage its diverse population in the democratic process without extending voting rights to noncitizens. The debate over this issue is far from over, and it will undoubtedly continue to spark discussions about inclusivity, representation, and the fundamental rights afforded to citizens versus noncitizens.

For now, the court’s decision has solidified the standing that citizenship remains a vital requirement for voting in New York City, reflecting a broader trend of maintaining the sanctity of the electoral franchise for American citizens.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• AP News: Noncitizen Voting Lawsuit
• Wikipedia: Voting in the United States
• Politico: New York Noncitizen Voting Blocked
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Voting
• New York Times: Noncitizen Voting in NY
• Google News: Noncitizen Voting New York
• ABC7: NY Court Strikes Down Noncitizen Voting Law