[RP TownTalk] EXT : Proposed "Voter Expansion" legislation

[Spiro Dimakas]

So....

Look there has been a lot of back and forth on this not just here but across the country. I'm a relatively new resident (bought my house back in 2015) and I used to work for the town as a dispatcher. 

For what it's worth, I'm a 1st generation American. My parents emigrated to America from Greece in the beginning of the 60's with my grandparents as children. They had to come over with visas and take citizenship tests. And yes, we are a product of chain migration thanks to laws that favored Eastern European immigrants after World War II.

I don't think it's necessary to expand voting rights of non-citizens to vote in local elections. People can still participate in our small town government by talking to local representatives and attending meetings. Nothing bars you from voicing your opinion and we live in Maryland which is one of these most diverse states in the nation.

However something has to be said for elections in general and it does take A LOT to become a citizen of this country if you aren't born here. The current process takes years, background checks, interviews, and citizen tests; not to mention an oath of allegiance.

If our elected officials want to make it easier for non-citizens to vote and participate more in local politics and elections so be it, but there is a reason the law is written to allow only citizens to vote in elections. In order to vote you are either born here, have a parent who is born here, or go through a rigorous 10 step process. This ensures you have a stake in who you are voting for because you can't just pick up and leave at a whim for a different country. 

My grandfather and grandmother would talk about what they went through to become US citizens; they were die hard Americans till the day they died. I would hope that people just take that into account before they try to diminish what it truly means to be a citizen of the country. 

Voting is one of the few things that distinguishes US citizens from non-citizens (and those US citizens who have severely broken the law in the past). It ensures that your voice is heard and counted once a year (or every other year) if you choose to vote.

If anyone has a problem with someone's viewpoint they should reach out and address it civilly. If you don't like something then be the action for change. No one should stifle anyone's right to freedom of speech. Regardless if you don't like the opinion or what they are saying, they have a right to say it. 

Part of what makes this country great is that it's a constitutional democracy that's stood the test for over 200 years. I hope everyone enjoys their daylight savings day today; Remember to set your clocks forward and test your Smoke Detectors!

Spiro Dimakas
4804 Somerset Rd

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 11, 2018, at 1:08 AM, Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I have to agree, Emily, that if I were an immigrant (legally here or otherwise) reading the discourse on TownTalk over the last few days, I would find it very very difficult to trust my neighbors. That's bad news for building community. 
> 
> I didn't know that you and Raymond Rivas had invited young people in town to learn more about the town and to start a dialog. What a wonderful initiative! Perhaps time to think about reviving it? Sometimes when key players aren't available to carry on worthwhile programs, they are put on hold. But that doesn't mean we can't start it up again! 
> 
> And I fully agree that we also need to reach out and find out the stories of our town's residents. People are here in Riverdale Park for many different reasons and we come from many different backgrounds. Our stories are all part of our town's story. 
> 
> -Sarah
> 
> ​
> 
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