Overview

• The New York Court of Appeals issued a 6-1 decision declaring the 2021 law allowing noncitizens to vote in municipal elections unconstitutional.
• The court's majority opinion, written by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, emphasized the New York Constitution's restriction of voting rights to U.S. citizens.
• The law, passed by the New York City Council, aimed to enfranchise over 800,000 noncitizens with legal status, including green card holders and DACA recipients.
• Republicans, led by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, challenged the law in court, arguing it violated the state constitution and diluted citizens' votes.
• This decision concludes a three-year legal battle and underscores ongoing national debates over the role of noncitizens in democratic processes.