NH mayor says illegal immigrants should have right to vote

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) - New Haven's Mayor says the United States Constitution backs his proposal to allow illegal immigrants the right to vote.

Citing the 26th amendment, Mayor DeStefano said this applies only to federal elections, not local. He's speaking strictly about voting in New Haven.

If the mayor wants to take things a step further, like he said he will, he could face two big hurdles based on Connecticut's constitution.

In school, in laundromats, and on the streets on New Haven, Mayor John DeStefano's words have been a hot topic.

"Why should you have the right to vote really if your not a citizen?  I don't think you should have a say," said Twana Jenkins of New Haven.

"If you live here you should be able to vote here," said Hilda Ramirez

"It's not unconstitutional under the federal system," said William Dunlap, Constitution Law Professor at Quinnipiac University.

Dunlap also said there are some hurdles DeStefano faces in making voting rights to illegal immigrants a reality.  

Article Six in the Connecticut Constitution defines an elector as a citizen of the United States who lives in Connecticut and is over the age of 21, that has since been amended to 18.

DeStefano does point out, he's not trying to change state law, he only wants changes in the Elm City, but that would still require approval from the state legislature.  Dunlap says that could be a big challenge. Governor Malloy said Wednesday that he's not comfortable with the idea.

"How this would come out in the courts is hard to say, but in Connecticut the constitution says citizen of the United States," said Dunlap.

DeStefano said he  plans on proposing illegal immigrant voting rights to the state legislature in the next legislative session.