DC elections are weird, but they are pretty much federal elections, aren't they?
I disagree. They're not federal officeholders. Congress can overrule local election laws, but if it doesn't, I do not see (and I repeat that I know little of this specific matter) how this could be unconstitutional.
I just wish there were tangible punishments for enacting boldly unconstitutional laws.
You know what the punishment is for boldly unconstitutional laws in many European countries? The law being upheld (because there is no judicial review).
I just don't think there is a judge alive (even ones rubber-stamped through confirmation) who is going to say "illegal aliens can vote."
I could see legal immigrants/green card holders... but as someone who has lived abroad and is married to a GCH, that would be extremely strange. I can't imagine voting in South Korea, for instance, even if I lived there in the same city for 5 years.
I just don't think there is a judge alive (even ones rubber-stamped through confirmation) who is going to say "illegal aliens can vote."
A judge may not say that the Constitution requires it, but at least for local elections, I don't see a constitutional violation to allow it for local elections.
Just to be clear: obviously, I'm just arguing the constitutional issue. I don't agree with the policy. Here in Europe, even leftist parties agree that illegals have to be removed from the country.
I could see legal immigrants/green card holders... but as someone who has lived abroad and is married to a GCH, that would be extremely strange. I can't imagine voting in South Korea, for instance, even if I lived there in the same city for 5 years.
South Korea is far more rational when it comes to immigration. But even there, I don't think their Constitution actually prohibits it. It's just that no politician would think he'd get away with allowing it.
I saw that comment, but that was thrown out based on the NY Constitution.
So maybe if i went to SCOTUS kagan and sotomayor would dissent. This is still as open and shut as possible, ESPECIALLY in DC.
DC elections are weird, but they are pretty much federal elections, aren't they?
I just wish there were tangible punishments for enacting boldly unconstitutional laws.
I disagree. They're not federal officeholders. Congress can overrule local election laws, but if it doesn't, I do not see (and I repeat that I know little of this specific matter) how this could be unconstitutional.
You know what the punishment is for boldly unconstitutional laws in many European countries? The law being upheld (because there is no judicial review).
I don't disagree with anything you've said here.
I just don't think there is a judge alive (even ones rubber-stamped through confirmation) who is going to say "illegal aliens can vote."
I could see legal immigrants/green card holders... but as someone who has lived abroad and is married to a GCH, that would be extremely strange. I can't imagine voting in South Korea, for instance, even if I lived there in the same city for 5 years.
A judge may not say that the Constitution requires it, but at least for local elections, I don't see a constitutional violation to allow it for local elections.
Just to be clear: obviously, I'm just arguing the constitutional issue. I don't agree with the policy. Here in Europe, even leftist parties agree that illegals have to be removed from the country.
South Korea is far more rational when it comes to immigration. But even there, I don't think their Constitution actually prohibits it. It's just that no politician would think he'd get away with allowing it.