Octang Frye

"PORTLAND, Maine -- Like his neighbors, Claude Rwaganje pays taxes on his income and taxes on his cars. His children have gone to Portland's public schools. He's interested in the workings of Maine's largest city, which he has called home for 13 years.

There's one vital difference, though: Rwaganje isn't a U.S. citizen"


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...citizens-vote/

What do you think?

Sally Redux

This is misleading:

The Federation for American Immigration Reform, a Washington, D.C., group that advocates tougher immigration enforcement, says voting is a privilege and should be limited to citizens.

"People who are legal immigrants to the United States after a five-year waiting period can become citizens and become enfranchised," spokesman Ira Mehlman said. "But until then, being here as a legal immigrant is a conditional agreement, sort of like a trial period. You have to demonstrate you are the type of person we would want to have as a citizen, then you can become a citizen and vote."

It's not 5 years from when you immigrate, but 5 years from becoming an LPR. I've done a 5-year 'trial period' already on H4.

md95065

... and during your 5 year "trial period" on an H4 you were, in the words of the US State Department, a "temporary visitor on a non-immigrant visa" ...

In other words you don't become an "immigrant" until you get permanent residence so, yes, it is effectively "5 years from when you immigrate".

Bob

Odd that...because they've let LPR's vote in local elections in Maine for years.

Didn't think it included things on a state level, but anything to do with the county you could vote, so mayor, school board etc.

MrEmjoy

Is that the case in any other states, because if so, I can't tell people to naff off as easily when they come-a-knockin' on the door.

Giantaxe

There's a proposition on the ballot in San Francisco to let legal immigrants vote in school board elections. The material supporting the proposition says "towns in four states" allow non-citizen voting in local elections, but adds no specifics as to how many towns.

Bob

Just a couple states....most don't allow it.

paddingtongreen

When the country was first formed, residents were allowed to vote.