NY ballot measure aimed at protecting abortion could allow illegal migrants to vote, critics say: Trojan horse of epic proportions

A proposed referendum on New York’s ballot aimed at protecting abortion rights could give illegal migrants the right to vote, according to a lawyer spearheading opposition to it.Westchester County-based constitutional lawyer Bobbi Anne Cox said Proposition 1, a k a the Equal Rights Amendment, is being promoted as enshrining the right to an abortion in the state constitution.But she said that since the sloppily crafted proposed referendum on the Nov.5 ballot also includes anti-discrimination protections for every category of New Yorker, it potentially allows for a host of serious other consequences, too.The text of the proposed amendment says, “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state” and would extend all of those protections to everyone regardless of “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”Cox said “national origin” can refer to foreigners or non-citizens and illegal immigrants — and that the “laws of the state” include voting.“It would put non-citizens and illegal immigrants on the same plan as citizens.

It’s a trojan horse of epic proportions,” she claimed.“It covers anybody.That includes people who came here illegally and broke our laws.

This is unbelievable,” she said.She said it could “even allow illegal immigrants to vote.”Cox noted that New York City passed a law to allow 800,000 non-citizens with green cards to vote, but it was blocked in the courts as unconstitutional.The rulings are being appealed.

In 2019, the state legislature approved a law allowing illegal immigrants the right to obtain a driver’s license.The lawyer also said taxpayers would be hit with more costs to cover services for illegal immigrants if the ballot measure passes.Sign up for our Metro Daily newsletter! ...