Newly sworn-in New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday that he backs legislation passed by the city council enabling non-citizens to vote in local elections.
"I believe that New Yorkers should have a say in their government, which is why I have and will continue to support this important legislation," Adams, a Democrat who took office at the start of 2022, announced in a statement. "While I initially had some concerns about one aspect of the bill, I had a productive dialogue with my colleagues in government that put those concerns at ease. I believe allowing the legislation to be enacted is by far the best choice, and look forward to bringing millions more into the democratic process."
On his first day in office last week, Adams was asked about the bill and stated he was concerned about the provision declaring that a non-citizen voter only had to be in the city for 30 days to qualify to vote.
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The bill, known as "Our city, our vote", was authorized by the city council in December and would allow approximately 800,000 to take part in local elections.
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The measure, which would impact green card holders and those with work authorizations, doesn't include state or federal elections, and people in the nation illegally would not be entitled to vote.
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Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed concerns regarding the bill before leaving office though he did not veto it before leaving office.
"In 2021, we are writing another chapter," announced Rodríguez (D-Upper Manhattan) throughout a rally outside City Hall ahead of the vote, "New York City is showing another way to do business when it comes to expanding voting rights."
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"We will make our city stronger, we will have more people participating in our electoral process, we will have even more people to be motivated to be citizens because after they participate at the local level, they will be more interested and engaged and highly motivated to be a citizen so now they can vote at the federal level," he later announced, according to The Post.
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New Yorkers who spoke to Fox News last month shared mixed sentiments regarding the bill.
"I think it's a good idea," a New Yorker in favor of the change told Fox News. "If they're living here, but they're on a working visa, I mean, I guess they should have a say as to what's going on in the city, right?"
Another lifelong New Yorker opposed the measure, stating, "I do not agree with it. Why should they? They're not from here."
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