Can Green Card Holders Vote Locally? Know Your Rights as an Immigrant!

Did you know that as of January 2023, as many as 12.7 million people in the United States are green card holders? However, as the numbers of these Lawful Permanent Residents keep increasing, one question looms: can green card holders vote locally?

The United States accepted 1.02 million green card applications in the year 2022. This was a 37.6% rise from 2021. However, despite this growing population, green card holders do not have the right to vote in the federal election.

But what about the local elections? Do specific rules change based on locality? Does it have to do with the percentage of the population?

If these are some of the questions that you are interested to know about you have reached the right place. So, keep on reading this blog till the end, and thank me later…

Who are Green Card Holders?

Before starting with the answer to “can green card holders vote locally,” let me explain who green card holders are. If you are planning to settle down in the United States, this is something that you must know.

A green card holder, or what people often call a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), is a legal immigrant. He/she is the person to whom the US Government has granted the same rights that other citizens of the country enjoy.

A green card holder can own property, attend public schools, and even get social security benefits under the Social Security Fairness Act, just like any other citizen.

However, when it comes to taking part in the political events of the country, there are certain distinctions that the government has made. These differentiate the citizens of the United States from the immigrants.

In order for green card holders to avoid any sort of legal complications later, it is important that they know their rights.

Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder

I was ten when I heard my mother talking to our neighbor. Aunty was delighted because they finally got the green card, and the entire family was moving to the States.

And that was when I heard the term “green card” for the first time. It was later that I understood that there are certain rights and responsibilities that you have as an immigrant in the USA holding a green card.

With the help of a green card, immigrants in the United States can live, work, and travel legally freely. However, when it comes to voting, there are certain limitations that they face.

Rights of Green Card Holders

As a lawful resident of the States, green card holders have the following rights that they can enjoy:

• Live and work in the United States indefinitely
• You can travel freely. However, extended trips for over 6 months might raise certain questions about your status.
• Green card holders have the right to access public education and other social services. Additionally, depending on the eligibility, you can also receive certain government benefits.
• You can own properties, buy a house, invest, and even run a business.
• After 5 years of your green card, you can also apply for naturalization to become a legal citizen of the United States.

Responsibilities of Green Card Holders

If you are a green card holder, there are certain responsibilities and duties that you will need to keep in mind and abide by. Here are some of them:

• You must obey the laws of the United States (both Federal and State laws)
• You must pay the taxes and file returns on the same.
• It is mandatory that you always carry your green card as proof of your legal status within the country.
• Male green card holders (from 18 to 25 years of age) need to register for the Selective Services in the case of a military draft.

Voting Rights: Can Green Card Holders Vote Locally?

Now, coming to the most important part of the blog that you have been waiting for: can green card holders vote locally? TBH, the answer totally depends on the state you are residing in.

Voting is essentially the process where people come together and choose their representative for running the government and the country. In the United States, there are three levels of election that take place. They are local, state, and federal.

According to what the USICS states, it is the responsibility of a green card holder to support the democratic form of government. However, this DOES NOT include the process of voting.

They clearly state that even if they have been living in the country for a very long time, green card holders cannot vote in any form of election.

This is primarily because of the fact that, as immigrants living in the country, you might want to move out anytime you want.

Given the fact that the citizens decide who will be running the country, you cannot choose to enjoy the right of decision-making and not face the consequences of the decision. Right?

Can Green Card Holders Vote in Federal Elections?

To reiterate what I have already mentioned above, the answer to this question is NO.

Only U.S. citizens have the right to vote in federal elections. These consist of:

• Presidential elections
• Congressional (Senate and House of Representatives) elections

If you are a green card holder and you vote in federal elections, you might have to face serious consequences, which include fines, denial of citizenship, and even deportation.

Can Green Card Holders Vote in State Elections?

In most states, you cannot vote in state elections as a green card holder. However, you can vote in certain situations.

For instance, these include the elections that take place in local school board elections or other matters related to the community. But NOT in the case of forming a government.

Can Green Card Holders Vote in Local Elections?

Only in certain cases can you vote locally as a green card holder. These include:

• School board elections
• City council elections
• Municipal elections

For example, cities like Takoma Park in Maryland, San Fransisco, and New York City have passed laws that allow green card holders to cast their votes in specific elections.

However, it is important that you keep in mind that these are all subject to change and legal matters.

Consequences of Voting as a Green Card Holder

As I have already mentioned above, if law enforcement finds out that you are a green card holder and have voted in a particular election, there are serious consequences that you might have to face. These include:

• Deportation: The government will have to revoke your citizenship, and you will need to go back to your original country.
• Denial of U.S. Citizenship: If you have applied for naturalization, your application will not be accepted. Additionally, this will result in permanent disqualification.
• Criminal Charges: You might have to face charges in extreme cases. Furthermore, you might have to face fines and imprisonment.

Read Also:

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• The Legacy of Lithuanian Americans: Embracing Dual Citizenship
• IR6 Green Card: Understanding Spousal Residency Rights In The U.S