Staff Reports
The Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to give Vermont a wake-up call on Thursday by filing a lawsuit against Burlington’s bizarre policy of letting noncitizens vote in local elections. Yes, you heard that right—noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, are given the golden ticket to decide on local education issues in Burlington. RNC officials, alongside some common-sense local residents, are pushing back against this absurd notion that foreigners should have any say in American elections.
In a move that would make any patriot proud, the RNC is standing firm on the position that only Americans should decide American elections. Burlington’s policy might be limited to local matters, but when you let noncitizens vote on the education budget, you’re essentially letting them dip their fingers into the state’s wallet. The RNC argues this practice tramples over the state constitution, which says only citizens should have a say in anything concerning the State of Vermont.
GOP sues to stop noncitizen voting in Vermont's largest city https://t.co/exxSNkE6d8
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 20, 2024
Burlington isn’t alone in its misguided crusade to blur the lines between citizens and noncitizens. Winooski and Montpelier, smaller cities in Vermont, have already taken the plunge into this murky territory—and the state’s Supreme Court justices gave them a thumbs up. But now, the spotlight shines on Burlington, setting the stage for another round in the fight for electoral sanity.
The lawsuit takes special aim at the idea of noncitizens voting on Burlington’s education budget, which means they’re getting a say on state money. The RNC and everyday Vermonters argue that this practice dilutes the voting power of the state’s actual citizens. After all, nothing screams “dilution” quite like letting noncitizens influence matters of state finance.
Noncitizen voting is a major flashpoint in today’s political battlefield. While it’s illegal in federal elections and non-existent in statewide elections across the country, there are glaring exceptions like Washington, D.C., where anyone living there for just 30 days can vote on all district matters. Not to mention, San Francisco’s policy lets noncitizens with kids in local schools weigh in on school matters, and even New York City tried to hop on this bandwagon until a state court said, “Not so fast.”
It’s high time America remembers who should call the shots in American elections: Americans. Until then, the RNC ensures the voice of reason isn’t drowned out by a cacophony of noncitizen ballots.
