NYC mayor says he supports recently passed legislation allowing 800,000 noncitizens to vote

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Newly sworn in New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Saturday that he supports legislation passed by the city council allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections. 

"I believe that New Yorkers should have a say in their government, which is why I have and will continue to support this important legislation," Adams, a Democrat who took office at the start of 2022, said in a statement. "While I initially had some concerns about one aspect of the bill, I had a productive dialogue with my colleagues in government that put those concerns at ease. I believe allowing the legislation to be enacted is by far the best choice, and look forward to bringing millions more into the democratic process."

Mayor-elect Eric Adams speaks during an announcement at Brooklyn Borough Hall.  (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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On his first day in office last week, Adams was asked about the bill and said he was concerned the provision stating that a non-citizen voter only had to be in the city for 30 days to qualify to vote.

The bill, known as "Our city, our vote", was approved by the city council in December and would allow roughly 800,000 to take part in local elections. 

Eric Adams, incoming mayor of New York, right, arrives at a New Year's Eve celebration in the Times Square area of New York, U.S., on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Photographer: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg)

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The measure, which would affect green card holders and those with work authorizations, doesn’t include state or federal elections and people in the country illegally would not be allowed to vote.

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed concerns about the bill before leaving office but did not veto it before leaving office.

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New Yorkers who spoke to Fox News last month shared mixed feelings about the bill.

"I think it's a good idea," a New Yorker in favor of the change told Fox News. "If they're living here, but they're on a working visa, I mean, I guess they should have a say as to what's going on in the city, right?"

New York's Mayor Bill de Blasio makes declarations at a mass vaccination site at Yankee Stadium amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 5, 2021. Reuters/Carlo Allegri (Reuters/Carlo Allegri)

Another lifelong New Yorker opposed the measure, saying, "I do not agree with it. Why should they? They're not from here."

The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News.

Fox News’ Brie Stimson and Teny Sahakian contributed to this report