The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 25, 2023
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Vermont Supreme Court – Ruling
VT Digger – Vermont Supreme Court rules Montpelier can allow noncitizen voting in local elections
Democracy Docket – Vermont Supreme Court Allows Montpelier’s Noncitizen Voting Law To Remain in Place
BallotPedia – Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States
Groups Taking Action:
Pew Trusts – Judge Strikes Down New York City Law Allowing Noncitizen Voters
Pew Trusts – Noncitizens Are Slowly Gaining Voting Rights
Center for Public Integrity – Cities want noncitizens to vote on local matters. GOP sees a target
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in Vermont today, not for the skiing, but for the democracy. The Vermont Supreme Court ruled last week that the city of Montpelier, the state capitol, could allow legal non-citizen residents to vote in LOCAL elections.
The Vermont Digger & Democracy Docket report that a 2018 change in the city’s charter allowing legal non-citizen residents to vote, passed by a 2 to 1 margin. The Vermont legislature confirmed the charter change, Governor Phil Scott then vetoed it, only to have the legislature override the veto. Court action ensued, brought by no less than the Republican National Committee and a handful of Vermont residents.
The Vermont high court unanimously upheld a lower court ruling, saying that while the state constitution prohibits non-citizens from voting in statewide elections, qualifying to vote in local elections can have different rules. The Montpelier clerks keep a separate qualified voter list for local elections.
Contrary to Montpelier’s change, a similar law in New York City was thrown out in June 2022 by a district court judge for not complying with the State of New York’s constitution. It’s not clear whether Montpelier’s rule, and a similar one in Winooski, VT, will be further challenged. In 2022, there were 16 municipalities which allowed legal non-citizen residents to vote, and 14 state constitutions could possibly allow it.
We have links to articles and groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.