Winooski approves noncitizen voting

Winooski voters have approved a charter change that would allow non-citizen to vote in municipal elections, 2479 to 999 votes.  

The city council voted Aug.18 to present charter change recommendations to the public during Tuesday’s general election. The charter change package would allow all residents, including non-citizens, to participate in city and school meetings and elections.

The non-citizen voting proposal is the result of an ongoing effort from city officials over the past two years to make The Onion City more welcoming, proponents say. 

Mayor Kristine Lott said the proposal has divided the community, but she herself is a strong supporter of the initiative. 

“[Immigrants are] here contributing to the community every day. They should be heard,” she said in a September interview.

Lott said that she has spoken with residents on both sides of the debate and said many opponents believe that voting rights should be a reward for citizenship. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18% of Winooski’s residents were born on foreign soil, and 11% are non-citizens.

“It's like it's a broad spectrum of people that this would impact. It's not just black and brown people” Says Colston, “There are all kinds of reasons why people haven't become citizens… homeowners and taxpayers, the whole nine yards. Except they can't vote locally, which just doesn't seem fair. Part of missing out on these voices, especially here in Winooski, we're talking over six hundred potential residents that would be impacted by this if they choose to register and vote.” Said Colston.

Winooski city officials proposed this charter change in an attempt to allow residents to engage in their community, “There was a lot of pushback early on in the process...  our effort to educate the community on what this really means was really important.” Says Deputy Mayor and State Representative Hal Colston. 

“Having the most diverse community in northern New England, we're missing out on a significant part of our community's voice by not allowing them to vote in local elections.” Said Colston in September. 

The majority of Winooski residents that are immigrants come to the U.S. with refugee status, which can be retained for one year before they must have a green card. After someone has had a green card for five years, they can then start the lengthy and expensive process for citizenship.

The first step has been completed. But Winooski’s non-citizen residents are still far from the voting booths. The proposed charter changes have gone through the Charter Commission, City Council presented the changes to voters, and Voter approved them. Now, the charter change faces state lawmakers in the House, Senate and finally to the Governor's desk.  

“It goes to the House Government Operations Committee, which I sit on. So I'll certainly be championing the bill for passage.” Says Hal Colston. 

Montpelier’s similar charter change proposal has been sitting in purgatory since 2019.