Portland noncitizen voting petition falling short
By Tom Bell tbell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
The Portland City Clerk’s Office has found nearly 900 invalid signatures for a ballot initiative that would give noncitizens the right to vote in city elections. Most of the invalid signatures are from people who live outside Portland, said City Clerk Linda Cohen.
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To get their proposal on the ballot, petitioners needed at least 4,487 valid signatures. On July 14, they submitted 5,110 signatures. But the City Clerk’s office found only 4,224 valid signatures.
To get on the ballot, the petitions now need an additional 263 valid signatures. State law provides petitioners an extra 10 days to gather those signatures.
The League of Young Voters, which is leading the effort, on Thursday took out enough papers to gather 500 signatures. The group has an Aug. 9 deadline to turn them into the clerk’s office.
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29 COMMENTS
MainelyJack said...
It is only fitting that Portland be the city to give illegals the right to vote in their elections.
July 30, 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse
Jaylea said...
MainelyJack, immigrant does not = illegal. There are many legal residents of this country who are not citizens. Many you wouldn't even know are not citizens.
July 30, 2010 at 2:20 PM Report abuse
mtc said...
Good. This is a bad idea. I like Canada's approach to immigration. It is foolish to take care of other people if you can't take care of yourself first. It's not selfish it's just logical.
July 30, 2010 at 2:24 PM Report abuse
Dana said...
stupid is what stupid does..
July 30, 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse
Les said...
you do know, you can legally be here without being a citizen right?
July 30, 2010 at 2:39 PM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
No reason to allow those who are not citizens to vote. If you want to be able to vote, become a citizen, end of story. And dont forget to be carrying your green card at all times while you are here (as required by Federal law). Not here legally? Go home, we dont want you here.
July 30, 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse
DP said...
It should fall short...citizenship gives you the right to vote in any situation.
July 30, 2010 at 2:43 PM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
I'm sure it will all turn out for the best...
July 30, 2010 at 2:45 PM Report abuse
dcl4500 said...
A lot of issues I am about as far left as you can get, but dammit, you want to vote, become a citizen, like everyone else has or is. It is one of the great rights of being a citizen.
July 30, 2010 at 3:03 PM Report abuse
DasBoot said...
They should deport the the 4,224 valid signees. I can't even imagine that anyone would even consider letting non-citizens vote. Can't wait for November.
July 30, 2010 at 3:13 PM Report abuse
Ricky105 said...
DAAAAAAAAAA, NON CITIZEN VOTING...ONLY IN PORTLAND
July 30, 2010 at 3:29 PM Report abuse
portlandgirl said...
It is only fair that all towns and cities share the wealth of having an immigrant population...
July 30, 2010 at 3:55 PM Report abuse
BenHarrison said...
Why don't we just let the friggin Tourists vote to while we are at it.. Oh and immigrant does not mean illegal yes lots a people come here on student and work visa's but unfortunatly when those visa's run out most of these people just don't leave!!! But let's make sure they have all the same rights as tax paying property owning CITIZENS!!!!
July 30, 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse
Jon said...
"It is foolish to take care of other people if you can't take care of yourself first." No, its indefensibly dumb. Who are "we" taking care of. Undocumented aliens work, pay taxes, buy property, and probably vacation on the coast. They contribute as much or more to our society than we do. But give them the vote? No. That's a privilege that should come with citizenship.
July 30, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
Close Jon, they dodge taxes, leech off the welfare system, drive up healthcare costs, commit crime, drive drunk, cause accidents, etc. So no, they do not deserve the right to vote. IF they become citizens, then they can vote (and to become a citizen they *should* be required to have a job and prove that they are here legally).
July 30, 2010 at 4:24 PM Report abuse
T3V0aG91c2VSYXQ%3D said...
Well P-girl if you leave free food out for the pigeons, you are bound to find your yard covered in poop.
July 30, 2010 at 4:35 PM Report abuse
hocuspocus said...
This is one of the silliest ideas I have ever heard (and I've heard plenty). Where did this cockamamie idea come from?
July 30, 2010 at 5:48 PM Report abuse
oldernwiser said...
People's Republik of Portland is great country. There we have nice potato and shellfishes. I love the smell of coffee.
July 30, 2010 at 6:26 PM Report abuse
keepitreal said...
Good luck League. Expanding democracy is worth fighting for.
July 30, 2010 at 7:36 PM Report abuse
BonusEleven said...
Yes keepitreal, I do believe that "expanding democracy" is precisely the reason we have bombed the crap out of nations across the globe. Wasn't that the rationale behind Vietnam and Iraq? Certainly worth fighting for when you are detached from the results and watching the body counts on the nightly news from your comfy sofa.
July 30, 2010 at 9:31 PM Report abuse
GuateGringo said...
We are talking about Green Card holders, legal residents that pay taxes, own property, contribute in the community. Probably neighbors of yours that are from Europe or Canada, or any where else in the world. Many of you probably already think are citizens. The sad truth is many of you making these comments probably do NOT EVEN VOTE yourselfs. The turnout is such a low percentage nationwide....
July 31, 2010 at 8:22 AM Report abuse
islandmanz said...
Gringo misses the point: we already have a litmus for voting rights and that's citizenship - bypassing that with this dangerous proposal is not the answer. As for those who are citizen's who do not vote, that is equally their choice as U.S. citizens and it is irrelevant to the debate in these comments.
July 31, 2010 at 9:43 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Portland is a joke, petitioning to allow NON-CITZENS to vote! If they want to vote than become a citizen! This petition would allow people such as the man who was living in Portland with an expired visa that gave money (he says for an unknown reason) to the terrorist in New York to vote! We should demand a list of the signatures to be posted for all to see!
July 31, 2010 at 9:52 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Portland is a joke, petitioning to allow NON-CITZENS to vote! If they want to vote than become a citizen! This petition would allow people such as the man who was living in Portland with an expired visa that gave money (he says for an unknown reason) to the terrorist in New York to vote! We should demand a list of the signatures to be posted for all to see!
July 31, 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse
GuateGringo said...
Mainedog the man with the expired visa would not be able to vote, only legal residents, this excludes student visas, work visas... only residents. Also islandmanz, my point is very relevant. If US citizens are hands off and disinterested in voting then they should not be making comments about non-citizens voting...their disinterest in the voting process should disqualify them from making remarks. Complain, complain complain but never step up and vote... typical. I live outside the country and still vote for the President and Congress. Not only a right but a duty. Oh, one more thing... non citizens are members of our armed forces, they can die protecting our country but cannot vote??? something is wrong there.
July 31, 2010 at 10:01 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
GuateGringo, if they are not citizens they don't have the right to vote and if they want the right than they should become CITIZENS! PERIOD! It's liberal idiots like you that are ruining this country! So you say you don't live here but still vote, good does the country you live in now allow non citizens to vote! Only US citizens have the right to vote in the US! Your argument that most who have right but don't use it is bunk! That doesn't justify non citizens voting! As for the serving in the Armed forces that is THEIR choice since we no longer have a draft and if they wish to vote they to can become citizens! Liberals like you first push for non citizens to serve in the military and than complain that since they now serve they should be given the right to vote! They can have the right all they need to do is become a citizen! No one is preventing their legal path!
July 31, 2010 at 10:22 AM Report abuse
GuateGringo said...
Mainedog let me get this right - I am an idiot because I do not agree with you? Or am I an idiot because I have an open mind and yours is closed? Or am I just an idiot because you decided I am and what you say rules? Just wondering since I am such an idiot and I need one to explain these things to me. Sincerely, Idiot
July 31, 2010 at 10:28 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
GuateGringo, you must be an idiot since that was the only thing you took from my post!
July 31, 2010 at 10:44 AM Report abuse
GuateGringo said...
Mainedog - NO I took much more from your post but I prefer to keep my posts decent and G rated. BUT believe me people like you are why so many young intelligent people are crossing the bridge in Kittery heading south and not looking back. It just goes to show how close-minded the old timer Mainer is....
July 31, 2010 at 12:23 PM Report abuse