(Bloomberg) -- The Republican National Committee sued New York City over a law that will give as many as 800,000 non-citizens the right to vote in local elections.
The RNC, along with the state party and a group of Republican office-holders, filed suit Monday in Staten Island seeking to invalidate the law on the grounds that it violates the New York constitution. They're also asking for an order blocking city officials from registering non-citizens and from counting their votes.
The measure is “a blatant attack on election integrity,” the RNC said in a statement.
How NYC Is Opening Voting Booth to Non-U.S. Citizens: QuickTake
New York's Democratic-controlled City Council approved the measure last month and Mayor Eric Adams, also a Democrat, allowed it to become law on Sunday. Set to go into effect in 2023, the law allows permanent residents, those holding work visas and so-called Dreamers, immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, to vote in local races such as those for mayor or City Council.
The law does not apply to statewide or federal elections.
Named as defendants in the case are New York Mayor Eric Adams, the City Council and New York's Board of elections.
“The Administration intends to vigorously defend the law in court,” said Jose Bayona, a City Hall spokesman.
The case is Fossella v. Adams, New York State Supreme Court, Richmond County (Staten Island).
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