In an unprecedented effort to promote inclusivity and nondiscrimination, the New York City Council has embarked on a comedy of errors, deciding that it will no longer discriminate between citizens and non-citizens, CBS reported.
In a 33 to 14 vote, the City Council passed the “Our City Our Vote” legislation.
The new law is to give non-citizens who are either legally authorized to work in the country or have legal permanent residence status the right to vote in municipal elections.
The new legislation will legitimate over one million New York residents who currently live in the city but are not citizens.
Political activist and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio still must sign the bill. He has expressed doubts about the bill so far, but has committed to refraining from interfering with the City Council’s decisions.
According to City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, the bill’s passage is a sign that we are nearing the progressive utopia envisioned by the Council.
“We are taking a step today to create more franchise for people,” he said. “To expand democracy in New York City. To make sure that people are more connected to civic and local matters and affairs.”
Another Councilman, Ydanis Rodriguez, suggested that they are circumventing citizenship “the right way,” by “expanding voting rights.”
But not all were thrilled about the bill.
Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo wondered about such radical legislation’s effect on city politics. In her opinion, it might aid certain minorities in New York City, and it might even be racist.
“This particular legislation is going to shift the power dynamics in New York City in a major way, and we do not have the numbers or the information to know how this is going to impact African-American communities,” Cumbo said.
Of course, such debate might not even matter. According to the city’s municipal code, the bill is not even legal.
