#United States #New York #Americans for Citizen Voting #New York Court #Non-Citizen Voting

New York Court Upholds Citizens-Only Voting Law

In a critical ruling on March 20, 2025, the New York Court of Appeals made headlines by striking down a controversial law that permitted non-citizens to vote in municipal elections. This landmark decision has been hailed by Americans for Citizen Voting (ACV), a prominent advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that only U.S. citizens can participate in electoral processes. The law in question, enacted by the New York City Council, faced significant opposition and was stalled from implementation while it underwent legal scrutiny.

Avi McCullah, the president of Americans for Citizen Voting, expressed great satisfaction with the Court of Appeals' ruling, asserting that voting in the United States should be exclusive to citizens. McCullah stated, "We are thrilled with the decision from the Court of Appeals. Voting in the United States, on any level, should be reserved for citizens of the United States."

This ruling comes in the wake of a broader movement across the nation. In recent years, various city councils, including those in Washington, D.C., and several municipalities in Vermont, have attempted to legalize voting rights for non-citizens. Additionally, cities in California and Maryland have permitted foreign citizens to vote due to state constitutional loopholes.

While celebrating this legal victory in New York, McCullah reminded the public that similar laws are under challenge in other states. "While we applaud this legal decision in New York, we know that in three other states, with almost identical language in their state constitutions, courts have ruled to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections," he noted.

Since 2018, the campaign for Citizen Only Voting Amendments has gained steam, with 14 states successfully passing measures to restrict voting rights to citizens. States like Alabama, Colorado, and Florida have joined this movement, and efforts continue in states such as Arkansas, Indiana, and Texas to further solidify this principle.

The implications of such a ruling extend beyond just New York. McCullah argues that each state ought to have the opportunity to decide this matter through their own ballots, rather than relying on legal interpretations that may vary from judge to judge. As he put it, "Let’s not leave this important issue to the varying legal interpretations of judges. The decision on whether non-citizens are given the right to vote should be made by the people of each state at the ballot box."

Americans for Citizen Voting, which has engaged citizens nationwide to advocate for amendments to state constitutions, is already making plans for the next steps, including a proposed Citizen Only Voting Amendment to be potentially included on South Dakota’s 2026 ballot. In addition, several other states are considering similar legislation to give voters the chance to weigh in on this critical issue.

As debates around voting rights continue to unfold across the United States, the significance of the New York Court's decision cannot be overstated. It marks a pivotal moment for those who believe in the fundamental principle that voting is a privilege reserved for citizens only, a sentiment echoed by countless advocates standing behind the banner of Americans for Citizen Voting.