BURLINGTON — City residents will again consider noncitizen voting when they go to the polls on Town Meeting Day next March.
The city council approved 9-1 a ballot item asking whether Burlington residents who are not citizens but “who resides in the United States on a permanent or indefinite basis in compliance with federal immigration laws” should be allowed to vote in municipal elections.
City voters rejected a similar measure in 2015.
Council President Kurt Wright, R-Ward 4, voted no. Councilors Ali Dieng, D/P-Ward 7, and Perri Freeman, P-Central District, were not present for the vote. Dieng had voted against the measure at an earlier stage and Freeman had voted for it.
Montpelier approved noncitizen voting in 2018, and its charter change needs to be approved by the state Legislature before becoming law. The House approved the charter change in 2019. The Senate did not act on it but could pick it back up next year.
The measure would expand voting rights in municipal elections to those with permanent resident status.
Max Tracy, P-Ward 2, said the council’s charter change committee considered concerns about maintaining a “second list” of noncitizen voters that could be used by federal immigration authorities.
But since the measure covers those with permanent resident status, the city attorney told the committee that the federal government already knows who has that status, Tracy said.
Tracy said the council also reached out to local nonprofit Migrant Justice, which said it was not concerned and wanted as many people as possible to participate in local political processes.
In 2015, Burlington voters rejected noncitizen voting in a 58%-to-42% vote.
Adam Roof, I-Ward 8, said that during that vote there was confusion caused by online misinformation.
“Whether you agree or disagree with this issue, I urge everyone to take the opportunity to call out misinformation and correct misunderstanding, especially online,” he said.
Brian Pine, P-Ward 3, also called on councilors to clarify the proposal to constituents.
“What is being proposed is something that is done in other cities, it’s not entirely unique,” he said. “I think it’s a way to extend our democracy to people who have already made an investment in this community.”
Public hearings on the question are set to be held Jan. 21 and Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The council decided not to put a question on the ballot that would have added two seats to the Airport Commission, one for a resident of Winooski and one for another resident of Burlington.
The commission currently includes four seats for Burlington residents and one for a South Burlington resident. Commission chair Jeff Munger and member Bill Keogh expressed concerns about the lack of input from the commission on the measure.
The council voted 7-3 to table to measure, with Tracy, Pine and Jack Hanson, P-East District, voted against tabling. This means it will not be on the ballot in March.
The commission operates in an advisory role. City councilors in neighboring communities have said they want more of a say in the operations of the airport, which is owned by Burlington.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger is set to appear at the commission’s Wednesday meeting to discuss the issue.
