Our City, Our Vote (OCOV) Coalition is a diverse group of organizations representing immigrant and voting rights advocates, good government groups, labor, faith leaders, and advocates in all five boroughs. Since the mid-2000s, the coalition has campaigned for the expansion of municipal voting rights, which resulted in the historical passage of the NYC Municipal Voting law (Local Law 11-2022) to expand municipal voting rights to New Yorkers with legal permanent status or work authorizations.
What is the Municipal Voting Law (LL 11-22)?
- Passed in City Council on December 9, 2021, Local Law 11 would have restored voting rights for immigrant New Yorkers who live, work, and raising families in the city, and allow permanent residents and New Yorkers with work authorization to vote in municipal elections, such as races for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and city council, as well as ballot referenda.
- The fight to strengthen our democracy continues with Local Law 11 currently being challenged in the courts and is now in the final stages of appeal at the New York State Court of Appeals.
- Restoring voting rights for all immigrant New Yorkers is a step towards acknowledging and expanding representation of all New York communities. Local Law 11 strengthens our democracy by bringing more stakeholders into the decision-making process.
- New York City, the quintessential city of immigrants, should be a leader in voting rights by showing that its local government is engaged and accountable to all its residents.
For more information about the campaign, download our one pager. If you or your organization is interested in learning more or joining the Our City, Our Vote coalition, please contact Taina Wagnac at wchin@nyic.org and Lena Cohen at lcohen@unhny.org.
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