Officials in a suburban D.C. city are weighing whether or not to allow non-citizens to vote in its local elections.
Members of the city council in College Park, Md., delayed a decision Tuesday to approve a measure that would allow non-citizens — including illegal immigrants — to vote in city elections. The measure would require the city to keep a separate voter list, as those voters would not be permitted to vote in state and national elections.
“These are folks who have a significant stake in our community, and who rely on the facilities in our city,” College Park City Councilwoman Christine Nagle, who introduced the measure told the Baltimore Sun.”To me, it just made sense.”
The city says it has seen a large influx of emails from those expressing strong opinions on the matter, with some city council members even saying they have received death threats. The threats have prompted Prince George’s County police to provide extra security for Tuesday’s city council meeting.
A majority of the comments posted to the city’s website have been overwhelmingly opposed to the measure.
“Before my letter gets greeted with shouts of my being anti-immigration – let me clearly state that I am a naturalized American citizen,” College Park Resident Laurel Adams posted. “During the period of my legal residency I understood well that I had de-enfranchised myself. It was my choice. I didn’t ask for rules to be changed because I somehow felt I was extra-special – I abided by the rules.”
College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn told WJLA he expected the city council to delay voting until Sept. 12, but that the council could also pass or reject the measure. The city council later decided to go ahead with the delay.
Takoma Park became the first city in Maryland to allow the practice after voters narrowly approved the measure in 1991.
Officials in the District of Columbia have repeatedly considered allowing non-citizens to vote but have decided against it. New York City extended voting privileges to non-citizens in school board elections until 2002.
