Republicans are slamming Gov. Kathy Hochul’s running mate, Adrienne Adams, for championing legislation to allow non-citizens to vote in Big Apple municipal elections.
Adams, who is now vying for the post of lieutenant governor on Hochul’s ticket, was a Queens councilwoman who voted for the controversial law in 2021. She defended the measure after she became speaker in 2022.
The legislation, which allowed 800,000 non-citizen Big Apple residents, such as legal green-card holders, to vote in city elections, was eventually struck down by the state’s highest court as unconstitutional.
Republicans are blasting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s running mate Adrienne Adams for backing non-citizen voting. James Messerschmidt“Anyone trying to dilute the voices of American citizens and pushing for non-citizens to vote in our elections has no business statewide or any elected office,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn).
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox said Adams’ extensive overall voting record in the council will be scrutinized, including bills she supported to rein in the Police Department.
But he said her support for non-citizen voting was extreme.
“Non-citizen voting is way out there,” Cox said.
Former Staten Island GOP City Councilman Joe Borelli predicted that the issue will only fuel Hochul’s Republican gubernatorial foe, Bruce Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive on Long Island.
Blakeman is set to tap upstate Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino — known for his tough-on-crime and pro-gun stances — as his running mate, sources told The Post on Sunday.
The GOP sees Adams’ stance as a boost for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Hochul’s foe. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com“If immigration remains an issue, which by all likelihood it will, Blakeman will surely point to this non-citizens bill as a validation of broader GOP points on illegal immigration and voter ID,” Borelli said.
Adams not only voted for the non-citizens bill, as council speaker, she also supported a city appeal after a Staten Island Supreme Court judge declared the measure unconstitutional.
“We stand firm in our commitment to empowering immigrant New Yorkers to participate in our local democratic process,” Adams said at the time.
“With today’s appeal, we are sending a clear message that New York is a city of inclusion. We look forward to seeing the court rule in favor of Local Law 11 and the City’s appeal.”
The state appeals court upheld the judge’s ruling.
Differing with her running mate, Hochul said she opposes giving non-citizens the right to vote.
“The Governor sets policy for the state of New York – she does not support this measure,” a Hochul campaign spokesperson said.
