College Park's Measure to Let Noncitizens Vote Did Not Actually Pass

WASHINGTON — Noncitizens will still not be able to vote in local elections in College Park, Maryland, officials said Friday. The announcement came several days after city council seemingly passed the much-debated measure Tuesday.

The measure, known as Charter Amendment 17-CR-02, that would have allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections “did not receive the required number of affirmative votes by elected officials to be adopted,” read a statement from College Park officials released Friday night.

Most council actions require a simple majority, but changes to the charter require affirmative votes from six elected officials. That requirement came after the city charter was amended in June.

On Tuesday, when the measure was thought to have passed, the city council voted 4-3, with one abstention. That was actually not enough to pass the charter amendment.

“Therefore, Charter Amendment 17-CR-02 was not adopted,” according to Friday’s statement.

The measure would have applied to green-card holders, undocumented immigrants and those with student-visas.

City council will discuss this at the next work session on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

There are already several Maryland municipalities that allow residents who are not citizens to vote, which include Takoma Park, Hyattsville, Glen Echo and Mt. Rainier, among others.

The post College Park’s measure to let noncitizens vote did not actually pass appeared first on WTOP.

Copyright DC WTOP
Contact Us