A Matter of Representation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.626Keywords:
school board elections, non-citizens voting, representationAbstract
The topic of this paper regards non-citizens' voting practices for school board elections and referendums in the United States. Analyzing a number of articles, books, and reports in addition to conducting interviews by numerous scholars, the paper focuses on the arguments these thinkers are making in their works. A study of the town of Monroe in New Jersey will be conducted, providing a personal example of the issue. This paper will discuss examples of how non-citizen enfranchisement is present in other jurisdictions, as well as counter-arguments against non-citizens' voting rights. The paper conclusively highlights and argues that non-immigrants should be allowed to vote at a local level, as it would benefit the community, especially children, granting them greater educational opportunities and representation.
References
Interviews
Bohra, Gazala. Telephone Interview. 16 July 2023
Government Reports
Bureau, U.S Census. “Monroe Demographics.” Point2, 2021, link
Office of School Finance, New Jersey Department Of Education. “Fiscal Year 2024 K-12 State School Aid, District Details Excluding Debt Service Aid.” Fiscal Year 2024 K-12 State School Aid, District Details Excluding Debt Service Aid New Jersey Department Of Education, Office of School Finance, link
Regional Boards of Education and Student Electors. Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research 2005. Link
“U.S. Immigration Trends.” Migrationpolicy.Org, 10 May 2023, link
Sullivan Kristin and Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research.
U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts: Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey link
Newspaper Articles
Glover, Julian. “Non-Citizen Voting Rights Gain Traction as Immigrants Vote in SF Unified School Board Recall.” ABC7 San Francisco, 12 Feb. 2022, link
Makin, Cheryl. “Monroe Voters Refuse a Third Time to Pay for Schools Improvement Project.” Courier News, 15 Mar. 2023, link
Zachary Roth, Georgia Recorder March 14. “Noncitizens Allowed to Vote in Some Local Elections, Spurring Backlash from GOP.” Georgia Recorder, 14 Mar. 2023, link
Secondary Literature
Ali R and D Quan. “Educational Place Simultaneity and Civic Participation in Asian America.” April 2021 link
Bowler Shaun et al. Citizens As Legislators : Direct Democracy in the United States. Ohio State University Press 1998. Link
Butwin, Jennifer. Putting Students First: Why Noncitizen Parents Should Be Allowed to Vote in School Board Elections - Fordham University, 2018 link
Eisenberg Avigail. “Voting Rights for Non-Citizens: Treasure or Fool’s Gold?” Journal of International Migration and Integration 2015 link
Humphreys John H. Proportional Representation : A Study in Methods of Election. Methuen 1911. Link
Jaret Charles and Orsolya Kolozsvari-Wright. “Citizenship and Naturalization Patterns of Immigrants in the Southeastern United States and Their Political Consequences.” Norteamérica 2011 pp. 179–208 link
Kini Tara. “Sharing the Vote: Noncitizen Voting Rights in Local School Board Elections.” California Law Review 2005 link
Koukal Anna Maria et al. “Enfranchising Non-Citizens: What Drives Natives’ Willingness to Share Power?” Journal of Comparative Economics 2021 link
Mikelionis, Lukas. “Non-Citizens, Illegal Immigrants Now May Register to Vote in San Francisco School Board Elections.” Fox News, 19 July 2018, link
Nicholson Michael David. “Immigrants' Identities and Host-Country Participation : The Role of Linked Fate.” University of California San Diego University of California San Diego 2018.link
Ray Achintya. “The Impact of Non-Citizen Population in Regional Differences in Non-Voting in the Usa.” Business Ethics and Leadership 2022 pp. 113–119 link
Shah Paru Radha et al. “The Politics and Policy Implications of Latino Representation in Education.” Rice University 2006. Link
Stavely, Zaidee. “Noncitizen Parents Can Vote in San Francisco School Board Recall. but Will They?” EdSource, 14 Mar. 2022, link
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Copyright (c) 2023 Pranisha Gorty
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