Got the Green Card today! ....can I vote tomorrow?

[CanadianEd 0]

Hey everyone! I got my white "Green" card today. WoHOO!!! The picture is ugy and the finger print is funny looking....but hey,...I'll take it.

I have a question. On the USCIS website it says that Permanent Residency give you several rights in this country. The last one listed is: "To vote in local elections where United States Citizenship is not required."

The Indiana Voter Registration Form says that I cannot even register to vote if I am not a Citizen.

So, is there ANYTHING I can vote in?

Ed.

[frndly1 1]

Ed,

I am happy you are excited about exercising your rights. I know one can vote in this election if you registered in time (w/greencard) but you can not vote in the presidental election.

Good Luck and Congrats

[CanadianEd 0]

Ed,

I am happy you are excited about exercising your rights. I know one can vote in this election if you registered in time (w/greencard) but you can not vote in the presidental election.

Good Luck and Congrats

Does that mean the State of Indiana is denying me my new "right" to vote by not allowing me to register for the election because I am not a Citizen?

Ed.

[dougyceci 0]

Ed there are some municipalicites that allow non-citizens to take part in local elections. This is based on the fact they are members of the community and should participate. To my knowledge non-citizens are not allowed to vote in any of the state or federal elections. That is why they have the "where allowed language" incluced.

[frndly1 1]

1. I think you have pasted the deadline to register to vote. If I am not mistaken it was sometime in October.

2. I am not sure if it is a state thing or a gov't thing.

Here is the language from the USCIS site

Rights

As a Permanent Resident you have most of the rights of a United States Citizen but there are some exceptions.

Rights

To live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable (deportable) under the immigration law (section 237, Immigration and Nationality Act).

To be employed in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing.

To be protected by all of the laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions.

To vote in local elections where United States Citizenship is not required.

Exceptions

Some jobs will be limited to United States Citizens because of security concerns.

You may not vote in elections limited to United States Citizens.

Responsibilities

You are required to obey all of the laws of the United States, the States, and localities. You are required to file your income tax returns and report you income to the US Internal Revenue Service and State IRS. You are expected to support the democratic form of government and cannot attempt to change the government through illegal means. If you are a male, age 18 through 25, you are required to register with the Selective Service.

Here is the website.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1____

[Brazilitaliana 0]

Congratulations on your greencard!

[Randall Emery 0]

Hey everyone! I got my white "Green" card today. WoHOO!!! The picture is ugy and the finger print is funny looking....but hey,...I'll take it.

I have a question. On the USCIS website it says that Permanent Residency give you several rights in this country. The last one listed is: "To vote in local elections where United States Citizenship is not required."

The Indiana Voter Registration Form says that I cannot even register to vote if I am not a Citizen.

So, is there ANYTHING I can vote in?

Ed.

Be careful. If you do anything that is construed to be claiming that you are a US citizen (like registering to vote in a federal election), the penalty is deportation followed by a permanent bar on re-entry. Under immigration law, saying you are a US citizen when you are not is worse than committing a violent crime.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Congrats on the Greencard.... here in MA you can not vote in any election as you need to be a USC to register....

would be nice to have a say in how things are done.... since they are using my State taxes to fund it...

[Glorya 0]

I wouldn't vote if I were you... It could cost you your residency.

Edited November 7, 2006 by Glorya

[dani_christine 0]

same thing in missouri...you cannot register to vote unless you are a USC. however, last year when anthony had first arrived and we were at the DMV getting him his driver's license, the lady asked him if he wanted to register to vote. all this while she was looking right at his passport and visa.

anthony was a little miffed. he said, "i thought you guys had a problem a few years back with 'taxation without representation'."

[ChristinaM 0]

I have the same issue - if I'm paying my taxes, why the heck can't I vote?

I think we should all rebel, hold an immigrants election or something!

Here in Maine, I can't vote in anything. Even to vote at local level, you have to be a USC. Dayum!

[elyjack 0]

So, is there ANYTHING I can vote in?

Not today, but I think American Idol will be back soon.

[Reba 2]

Can't even vote in Canadian elections anymore either. So when you hear people start complaining about the government, say "hey man, not my fault, I didnt vote "

[CanadianEd 0]

So, is there ANYTHING I can vote in?

Not today, but I think American Idol will be back soon.

I received a reply today to an email I sent the State of Indiana yesterday morning:

Thanks for your message.

Under Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution of Indiana, United States citizenship is required to vote in any election conducted within the state of Indiana. Therefore, as the registration form implies, you would not be eligible to vote in any election in Indiana until you became a US citizen. Thanks again,

Brad King

Co-Director

Indiana Election Division

Yup....American Idol it is......unless I'm banned from voting in that also.....The "American" in "American Idol" is what I'm concerned about. What if they become afraid that foreigners will be making "American Idol" UnAmerican?

Ed.