H.177 - AN ACT RELATING TO APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MONTPELIER
PASSED
in the State House of Representatives
on March 10, 2021, by a vote of
103-39
Purpose: This would change the charter of the City of Montpelier to allow non-citizens who are legally in the United States and full time residents of the city to vote in city elections.
Analysis: Those voting YES assert that non-citizens pay taxes, have children in the schools, and are active participants in the community, therefore they deserve the right to vote on issues that affect them.
Those voting NO assert that voting is a right and responsibility tied to citizenship, and that giving this privilege to non-citizens unfairly undermines the votes of actual citizens. They raise concerns that this will set a precedent for other towns to follow, and note that this is unconstitutional.
The Vermont Constitution states (emphasis added): “QUALIFICATIONS OF FREEMEN AND FREEWOMEN, § 42. [VOTER’S QUALIFICATIONS AND OATH] Every person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:…”
As Recorded in the House Journal, Wednesday, March 10, 2021: “…Pending the question, Shall the bill be read a third time? Rep. McCoy of Poultney demanded the Yeas and Nays, which demand was sustained by the Constitutional number. The Clerk proceeded to call the roll and the question, Shall the bill be read a third time? was decided in the affirmative. Yeas, 103. Nays, 39.. (Read the Journal, p. 292 - 293). Watch the floor debate on YouTube.
How They Voted
(Click on your Rep’s name to send an email)
|
Sally Achey (R - Middletown Springs) – NO |
William Lippert (D – Hinesburg) – YES Curtis McCormack (D – Burlington) – YES Kirk White (P/D - Bethel) – YES Rebecca White (D – Hartford) – YES Dane Whitman (D - Bennington) – YES Terri Lynn Williams (R - Granby) –NO Theresa Wood (D – Waterbury) – YES David Yacovone (D – Morristown) – ABSENT Michael Yantachka (D – Charlotte) – ABSENT |
SEE MORE ROLL CALL VOTES
NOT SIGNED UP YET? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Reactions
Sign in with
Facebook