Is it right that non-citizens know local politics but can't vote?

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Joe Copeland

Joe Copeland Jan 12, 2018

Jan 12, 2018

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                <h1>Is it right that non-citizens know local politics but can't vote?</h1>
                <h2><p>Seattle Times columnist Sarah Stuteville questions the reasons for blocking longtime residents but non-citizens from voting in local elections. She writes that Seattle's Initiative 122 would open an opportunity for all residents to use vouchers to support City Council candidates of their choice. And that would be an</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/joe-copeland-crosscut-com/">Joe Copeland</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Jan 12, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Seattle Times columnist <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/advocating-for-local-voting-rights-for-noncitizens/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">Sarah Stuteville questions</a> the reasons for blocking longtime residents but non-citizens from voting in local elections. She writes that Seattle's Initiative 122 would open an opportunity for all residents to use vouchers to support City Council candidates of their choice. And that would be an option to have a voice in local matters [that is, it would appear, assuming the voucher program is well enough funded for most residents to take part].</p><p>She talked to former Mayor Mike McGinn, who believes that all local residents should have a voice in local elections. As McGinn tells her, “We’re talking about police protection and crime and parks and potholes and schools.”</p>
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Seattle Times columnist Sarah Stuteville questions the reasons for blocking longtime residents but non-citizens from voting in local elections. She writes that Seattle's Initiative 122 would open an opportunity for all residents to use vouchers to support City Council candidates of their choice. And that would be an option to have a voice in local matters [that is, it would appear, assuming the voucher program is well enough funded for most residents to take part].

She talked to former Mayor Mike McGinn, who believes that all local residents should have a voice in local elections. As McGinn tells her, “We’re talking about police protection and crime and parks and potholes and schools.”

By Joe Copeland

Joe Copeland is the former senior editor&nbsp;for Crosscut, where he has been an editor since 2010. Before that, he was an editorial writer and columnist for the Seattle P-I and editorial page edi