NYC to grant 800K noncitizens right to vote

New York City is poised to become the largest place in the country to grant noncitizens the right to vote in local elections, the Associated Press reported.

A city council measure that is expected to be ratified on Thursday with a veto-proof margin will allow legally documented, voting-age residents the ability to cast ballots in elections for mayor, city council, and other municipal offices.

Under the legislation, noncitizens will not be able to vote in federal elections that determine the president or members of Congress or state elections that determine the governor or state lawmakers.

At present, the legislation would affect more than 800,000 residents of the city who, though they are not citizens, are legal green card holders or have the right to work in the United States.