Frederick, Md. has become the largest city or town in Maryland to allow Green Card holders and undocumented immigrants the right to vote in local elections.
Frederick , Maryland has become the largest city or town in Maryland to allow Green Card holders and undocumented immigrants the right to vote in local elections . Should a non-citizen be allowed to vote in local elections ? The City of Frederick has taken up the issue and voted on it recently.
Opinions are split in a city that has grown and has become more diverse. There are now more than 80,000 residents in Frederick.After a 4-1 vote, the Board of Aldermen has approved legislation to allow Green Card holders and undocumented immigrants to cast votes in local elections. This is now the largest city or town in the state of Maryland to take such action. It's important to note this new law does not apply to federal or state elections. The only dissenting vote was lawmaker Kelly Russell.“I have talked to many people who worked to get their citizenship in order to vote who do not agree to that, who feel that their efforts and all the hard work that they did is being diminished by this,” she said. Supporters say all residents, regardless of their legal status pay taxes here and no one lives here for free, and believe that if you pay taxes in the city you should have a voice. However local Republicans have voiced concerns that this could skew the upcoming presidential election. Opponents argue this is a slap in the face to those who have worked hard to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.“15% of our residents are from the Hispanic community, it’s a growing community. We have many of our residents that have jobs, that have companies, that their kids go to our schools,” said John Funderburk, Charter Review Committee member. “If you’re going through the process and you are working and you’re paying taxes, then you should be able to have a say.” These non-citizen voters, about 6,400 of them, still have to prove that they are Frederick residents. Convicted felons would be ineligible to vote under the legislation. The next Local election in Frederick is next year.
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