Poll on voting....

[baldgriff]

Should non-citizens be allowed to vote?

[B-Fly]

Not a binary question, in my opinion. I think non-citizens should not be allowed to vote in federal elections. I'm torn on state elections, thinking maybe it should be a state-level decision. On local elections, I think legal permanent residents in many cases probably should be allowed to vote. I don't think undocumented immigrants should be able to vote in any governmental elections.

[baldgriff]

Thanks Fly -

I realize its not as binary as the question, but I was just trying to simplify the question. Not trying to create any gotcha situation.

[Gregg]

Nope.

Want to vote become a citizen.

[TranaGreg]

I can't vote in this poll as I'm not a citizen.

actually, the real reason is that there's no "I'm not sure" option.

[B-Fly]

Okay, I guess I'll vote 'yes' because I do think legal permanent residents should be allowed to vote in municipal/school board elections.

[Gregg]

Okay, I guess I'll vote 'yes' because I do think legal permanent residents should be allowed to vote in municipal/school board elections.

I am not being snarky. Why do you think that?

Why wouldn't legal permanent residents become citizens?

[B-Fly]

I am not being snarky. Why do you think that?

Why wouldn't legal permanent residents become citizens?

Because in my opinion if you live legally in, say, Montclair, NJ, and you pay property taxes or pay rent to someone who is payment property taxes, and your kids attend the public schools, and you rely on the garbage collection and the police department and the fire department, etc, then there's no reason you shouldn't vote for the town council members or school board members.

As for why you might not apply for US Citizenship, your home country may not allow dual citizenship and you may anticipate returning to your home country with your family after, say, your 5 year job transfer period has elapsed. You may not feel comfortable taking positions on US foreign policy or national policy as a foreign national/citizen. You may not have the time or inclination to take a citizenship test that is heavily focused on US History and the federal constitution and system of government, etc. I don't think any of those reasons should necessarily preclude you from voting for the school board or on a bond issue to raise funds for a community garden.

[Sour Masher]

Because in my opinion if you live legally in, say, Montclair, NJ, and you pay property taxes or pay rent to someone who is payment property taxes, and your kids attend the public schools, and you rely on the garbage collection and the police department and the fire department, etc, then there's no reason you shouldn't vote for the town council members or school board members.

As for why you might not apply for US Citizenship, your home country may not allow dual citizenship and you may anticipate returning to your home country with your family after, say, your 5 year job transfer period has elapsed. You may not feel comfortable taking positions on US foreign policy or national policy as a foreign national/citizen. You may not have the time or inclination to take a citizenship test that is heavily focused on US History and the federal constitution and system of government, etc. I don't think any of those reasons should necessarily preclude you from voting for the school board or on a bond issue to raise funds for a community garden.

I voted no without much thought, but this has swayed me. I have a coworker who has lived here for 15+ years, and pays taxes and has a kid in school, etc. She is a good citizen in all but name. She is a Canadian citizen, and says it would be a hassle and costly to become an American citizen, so she hasn't. Thinking of her, and the examples you give, I was wrong to vote no. I do think she should be able to vote things like local school board elections.

[cardboardbox]

My first thought was no but I agree with fly.

I wonder if BG meant to ask if illegals should be allowed to vote?

[baldgriff]

My first thought was no but I agree with fly.

I wonder if BG meant to ask if illegals should be allowed to vote?

Nope - I meant non-citizens - which encompasses a larger number of individuals than just "illegals".