New York Appellate Division Rules NYC Foreigner Voting Law Violates NY’s Constitution

Published On: February 21st, 2024

(Alexandria, VA) – February 21, 2024: Today, the New York Appellate Division upheld the New York Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down New York City’s law that would have granted the right to vote in the city’s elections to over 800,000 foreign citizens. PILF welcomes this opinion.

The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) filed a similar federal lawsuit against the New York City Board of Elections alleging that the foreign citizen voting law violated the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act because it was passed with clear racial intent.

“This ruling marks an important step to stop foreign interference in New York City’s elections,” said PILF President J. Christian Adams. “The Public Interest Legal Foundation’s lawsuit shows that not only did this foreign citizen voting law violate New York’s laws but also the U.S. Constitution and Voting Rights Act. Members of the New York City Council made explicit statements that race was the motivation behind this voting law. In America, we do not allow race-based voting restrictions.”


Public Interest Legal Foundation
 (PILF) is the nation’s only public interest law firm dedicated wholly to election integrity. The Foundation exists to assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity and fight against lawlessness in American elections. Drawing on numerous experts in the field, PILF seeks to protect the right to vote and preserve the Constitutional framework of American elections. PILF has brought lawsuits and won victories in Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and across the United States.

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Public Interest Legal Foundation