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Bill would give undocumented immigrants in Rhode Island limited voting rights


A sign points to a polling location in Providence. (WJAR File Photo)
A sign points to a polling location in Providence. (WJAR File Photo)
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Democratic state Rep. Enrique Sanchez of Providence is sponsoring a bill that would allow residents of Rhode Island who aren’t citizens of the United States, but who have a license or a Taxpayer identification Number, to vote in their local city or town. Sanchez said it would include "ordinances, bonds, city council stuff, and mayor stuff" to name a few.

“We would just like to see more participation on behalf of folks who are, might not have had a say are paying taxes, have kids in the schools, are contributing to the local economy, have been here for years but aren’t able to participate in those decisions happening on municipal governments in their respective communities,” he said.

Terry Gorman, president and executive director of Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement, said this shouldn’t be allowed.

“They just keep pushing and pushing and pushing, and eventually it’s going to be your vote isn’t going to count because there are going to be so many illegal aliens in the state of Rhode Island that would be eligible to vote in local elections,” said Gorman.

Sanchez said that these people would not be allowed in vote in state and national elections, but would have a say in what happens in the community where they live, something already happening in San Francisco and New York City.

“For folks wondering why undocumented folks are doing that when I pay taxes, you know, people who are frustrated with this, well, hey listen, this is an opportunity for us to generate more revenue in our communities. This is an opportunity to finance fixing our roads, our communities,” said Sanchez.

Gorman said he wants no part of it.

“Why should we do anything to help an illegal alien. They broke the law to come in here, and I believe this law, if they look it up, I think it’s against the state Constitution. The Article 2 of the Constitution says you have to be a citizen of the state of Rhode Island in order to vote," said Gorman. "Not a resident, a citizen.”

Sanchez said he believes non-citizens would be allowed to vote in a local election under the state Constitution without any amendment. His bill has been referred to the House Elections Committee.

Article 2 of the Rhode Island Constitution states:

ARTICLE II

OF SUFFRAGE

Section 1. Persons entitled to vote.

Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years or over who has had residence and home in this state for thirty days next preceding the time of voting, who has resided thirty days in the town or city from which such citizen desires to vote, and whose name shall be registered at least thirty days next preceding the time of voting as provided by law, shall have the right to vote for all offices to be elected and on all questions submitted to the electors, except that no person who has been lawfully adjudicated to be non compos mentis shall be permitted to vote. No person who is incarcerated in a correctional facility upon a felony conviction shall be permitted to vote until such person is discharged from the facility. Upon discharge, such person’s right to vote shall be restored. The general assembly may provide by law for shorter state and local residence requirements to vote for electors for president and vice president of the United States.

Section 2. Nomination of candidates — Voter registration — Absentee voting — Conduct of elections — Residency.

The general assembly shall provide by law for the nomination of candidates; for a uniform system of permanent registration of voters; for the exemption from such registration of persons in the active service of the nation and their families absent from the state because of such service, and, in time of war, members of the Merchant Marine; for absentee and shut in voting; for the time, manner and place of conducting elections; for the prevention of abuse, corruption and fraud in voting; and may define by law residence for voting purposes, but no person shall acquire such residence merely by being stationed or assigned in this state in the active service of the United States.

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