"As a born citizen of the United States, I believe this goes against everything we, as a people, stand for. Allowing non-citizens to vote for a candidate who does not represent them as U.S. citizens undermines the integrity of our democratic process. It's an issue that should be taken seriously to preserve the rights and responsibilities of American citizens."
While I accept the idea that residents regardless of citizenship status should have a say in local government, I do not believe it is appropriate to extend the privilege of voting to people who are here illegally. Therefore I suggest that voting rights be limited to citizens and legal permanent or temporary (for example people admitted while awaiting asylum adjudication) U.S. immigration status.
Submitted by staff on behalf of Chris Sasse: This country was founded on citizenship. The U.S. Constitution, and the Maryland’s Constitution, gives their citizen’s rights. That citizenship comes with many benefits, one of which is the right to vote. I can’t immigrate to another country and vote in their elections. I must earn that right and I may never earn that right in that country.
As the second largest city in the State of Maryland, why disenfranchise earned citizenship by allowing non-citizens the right to vote in Frederick City elections. By doing so, you are devaluing the effort to legally become a citizen and earn all the rights that citizenship brings.
I move that you work towards creating a path to citizenship. Elected officials have the duty to provide for its citizens, so how about working on that aspect of good government, instead of expanding the voting rolls with non-citizens?
Also under section 1.1, regarding felons serving an “active” sentence, certainly they should not be qualified to vote as they have disrespected the laws and citizens of our jurisdiction. Their conviction caused harm to a citizen and they were punished for committing that felony.
However, when that felon is released from prison under parole, they are now eligible to register and vote? That felon is still under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system until their parole is completed, which may be several years. During that time, they are still serving the remainder of their sentence in a community, with specific expectations, and they are still convicted felons.
To allow anyone who committed a felony the right to vote is another example of the continuance of victimology. Then the original victim of that crime and our community, are re-victimized again, because that released felon receives the same right as that victim and the community. This further devalues citizenship and further devalues obeying our laws.
The City of Frederick elected representatives can make laws, change charters, and can really do just what Takoma Park did. But that not the right thing to do. Show some respect to “citizens” by spending more time creating legally earned pathways for non-citizens and felons, instead of this amendment, because that’s more aligned with our constitutions.
"As a born citizen of the United States, I believe this goes against everything we, as a people, stand for. Allowing non-citizens to vote for a candidate who does not represent them as U.S. citizens undermines the integrity of our democratic process. It's an issue that should be taken seriously to preserve the rights and responsibilities of American citizens."
While I accept the idea that residents regardless of citizenship status should have a say in local government, I do not believe it is appropriate to extend the privilege of voting to people who are here illegally. Therefore I suggest that voting rights be limited to citizens and legal permanent or temporary (for example people admitted while awaiting asylum adjudication) U.S. immigration status.
Submitted by staff on behalf of Chris Sasse: This country was founded on citizenship. The U.S. Constitution, and the Maryland’s Constitution, gives their citizen’s rights. That citizenship comes with many benefits, one of which is the right to vote. I can’t immigrate to another country and vote in their elections. I must earn that right and I may never earn that right in that country.
As the second largest city in the State of Maryland, why disenfranchise earned citizenship by allowing non-citizens the right to vote in Frederick City elections. By doing so, you are devaluing the effort to legally become a citizen and earn all the rights that citizenship brings.
I move that you work towards creating a path to citizenship. Elected officials have the duty to provide for its citizens, so how about working on that aspect of good government, instead of expanding the voting rolls with non-citizens?
Also under section 1.1, regarding felons serving an “active” sentence, certainly they should not be qualified to vote as they have disrespected the laws and citizens of our jurisdiction. Their conviction caused harm to a citizen and they were punished for committing that felony.
However, when that felon is released from prison under parole, they are now eligible to register and vote? That felon is still under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system until their parole is completed, which may be several years. During that time, they are still serving the remainder of their sentence in a community, with specific expectations, and they are still convicted felons.
To allow anyone who committed a felony the right to vote is another example of the continuance of victimology. Then the original victim of that crime and our community, are re-victimized again, because that released felon receives the same right as that victim and the community. This further devalues citizenship and further devalues obeying our laws.
The City of Frederick elected representatives can make laws, change charters, and can really do just what Takoma Park did. But that not the right thing to do. Show some respect to “citizens” by spending more time creating legally earned pathways for non-citizens and felons, instead of this amendment, because that’s more aligned with our constitutions.