SENATOR GOLDEN OPPOSES NYC COUNCIL PROPOSAL TO ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE IN CITY ELECTIONS

Brooklyn– State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today has issued the following statement in response to the New York City Council’s plan to give non-citizens and illegal immigrants the right to vote in NYC elections:

“Giving non-citizens the right to vote undermines the electoral process, decreases the incentive to become a citizen and dilutes the voting rights of American citizens. Allowing non-citizens to vote will increase the opportunity for voter fraud and devalues the voting power of American citizens exercising their constitutional right. We should instead sponsor citywide voter registration for citizens, increase voter participation through engagement and assist immigrants to become citizens of the United States. Citizenship is and should be a basic requirement for voting. American’s have fought and died for the right to vote and it’s our obligation to ensure that this right is reserved for American Citizens."

Senator Marty Golden served as a member of the New York City Council from 1998 through 2002.