Frederick’s Mayor Defends Decision Allowing Non-US Citizens The Right To Vote In City Elections

He says the current immigration system is broken.Frederick, Md (KM) The decision last week by the Frederick Board of Aldermen to allow non-US citizens who reside  in the city to be allowed to vote in municipal elections continues to be a hot topic. Mayor Michael O’Connor was asked about that during Tuesday’s edition of “The Morning News Express” on WFMD. “I think as I continue to research this issue and heard the discussion and listening to the comments that have come to our meetings and other places, I lean more in favor probably than I do opposed,: yes,” he responded.Host Bob Miller asked Mayor O’Connor if this was a “slap in the face” to the immigrants who have come  to the US, and worked hard to establish themselves. He responded by saying the current immigration system is broken. “The time that it takes for people to be processed into this country who want to be here, who want to be a part of our economy. The time that it takes for them to be processed through and have that opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of federal citizenship  is entirely too long,”: he said.But O’Connor said the Board of Aldermen didn’t want to wait until changes are made in federal immigration laws. “Should municipal governments tie themselves to a federal government process that is broken. And I think that the decision that was made by our Board of Aldermen  is we are not going to tie ourselves in the City of Frederick to a federal process that is broken,” he said.He also pointed out that under current law, the city can grant the right to vote in municipal elections to non-US citizens. “Federal law does not place that requirement of US citizenship necessarily on local elections,”: he said. “The federal law passed in 1996 gives the authority to create a local election system to local governments.”Even with this decision, Mayor O’Connor said the city clerk is working with the legal department to come up with rules and regulations allowing non- US citizens the right to vote in local elections. “It’s going to require a separate registration, someone coming to City Hall to register to vote in the city of Frederick,: he said. “And that could be someone coming to City Hall to register to vote for any reason that they want.. The question we’re not going to be asking them is ‘are you a United States citizens or not.’ We’re going to ask them ‘are you a resident of the city of Frederick,’” he said.The Mayor also said not a large number of non-US citizens vote in local elections, even when granted that right. “Number of people who are deemed to be non-citizens who vote is pretty low. The estimates  are less than  one percent,” he said.He also said not too many undocumented immigrants will register to vote in city elections. “A certain number of people, even given this opportunity, are not necessarily going to want to walk into a government building, and tell the government that they’re here, even though we’re not  going to ask the question,”: he said.Mayor O-Connor also pointed out that a number of other municipalities in Maryland allow non- US citizens the right to vote in local elections, including Barnesville, Martin’s Addition, Somerset, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Riverdale Park and Glen Echo. He says Frederick has joined them in creating an all-resident voting system.The Board of Alderman’s decision last week was part of series of amendments added to the city’s charter.By Kevin McManus