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Group Gathering Signatures for Non-Citizens Vote
By
News 13
Story Created:
Mar 23, 2010 at 10:06 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 23, 2010 at 10:06 AM EDT
A group trying to make it legal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in Portland city elections is taking its fight to City Hall.
Earlier this month, the city's charter commission voted against giving non-citizens the right to vote. Monday morning, supporters met the city clerk to kick off a petition drive to try to amend the charter themselves.
Supporters of the plan say legal, non-U.S. citizens in Portland contribute just as much to the city as U.S. citizens, including paying taxes and sending kids to public schools, but are still struggling through the lengthy process of obtaining U.S. citizenship and deserve to have the right to have their say in the system. Opponents say the right to vote should simply be left to U.S. citizens alone.
The plan would only allow non-U.S. citizens the ability to vote on city matters, and not things like state ballot measures or presidential elections.
The League of Young Voters has to collect the signatures of 5,100 Portland voters in order to get the measure on the November ballot.
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Lisa - Portland said on Monday, Apr 5 at 6:11 PM
The way it is set up currently, all legal immigrants,who have yet to become citizens are suffering taxation without representation. They live here, work here, have kids in the school system and pay taxes here. Yet, they have no way to have a say in how the community they are a part of, is run, or how it can serve thier needs too. Isn't that un-constitutional?
40688544Herzog said on Wednesday, Mar 24 at 11:27 AM
@Steve: Unfortunately, to get your US citizenship, many Portland immigrants would have to give up their current citizenship. This means traveling to the countries they were born in becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible. They won't be able to see their family members, friends and other loved ones. No one is suggesting immigrants should be able to vote in national elections, but since they are required to pay taxes, they should be represented on at least a local level. Their children go to the same schools, they drive on the same roads. Also, you might want to spell-check your comments before posting them, to avoid looking even more ignorant.
39919459Steve L. said on Tuesday, Mar 23 at 12:21 PM
To allow non-citizens the right to vote is outrageous. If Portland allows this then Portland should be eliminated as a voting block in the state of Maine. Maine is in bad enough shape finacially without Portland being turned into a third world hovel. You earn the right to vote by citizenship, and requires responcibility which is obviously lacking in the League of young socialists. Go read the Constitution instead of Saul Alinsky!
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