The New York City Council is asking the state’s highest court to overturn rulings against a law that would grant noncitizens living legally in the five boroughs the right to vote in local elections.
The Council filed a notice with the state Court of Appeals on Monday to defend Local Law 11, which allows green card holders, people with federal work authorization and other immigrants living legally in the city to vote in municipal elections.
Mayor Eric Adams, who had been a defendant in the suit supporting the law, is not joining in the appeal to the state’s highest court. The city Law Department will continue to represent the Council in the matter, according to officials.
The move comes on the deadline date to appeal a decision by the state Appellate Court Second Department last month that upheld a Staten Island lower court’s decision striking down the law two years ago.
The Council opted to defend the law — which would permit noncitizens living legally in the city to vote in elections for mayor, public advocate, city Council and borough president — even as contentious issues involving immigrant New Yorkers continue to dominate headlines.
“The Council passed Local Law 11 of 2022 to enfranchise 800,000 New Yorkers, who live in our city, pay taxes, and contribute to our communities,” Council spokesperson Rendy Desamours said in a statement. He said the Council’s appeal seeks a court finding that the law is consistent with the state’s Constitution and election law as well as the Municipal Home Rule Law.
“Empowering New Yorkers to participate in our local democratic process can only strengthen New York City by increasing civic engagement,” Desamours added. “We look forward to the Court of Appeal’s consideration of the Council’s appeal.”
A spokesperson for Adams’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case coincides with the ongoing debate over how the city is sheltering and caring for tens of thousands of migrants who have…
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