Court Strikes Down Voting Law Used To Push Pro-Illegal Immigration Agenda

The New York State Supreme Court in Orange County has overturned the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (NYVRA), a controversial law signed in 2022 that Democrats had used to target local governments and advance policies favoring illegal immigration. The court declared the law unconstitutional, delivering a significant blow to its proponents.

The NYVRA required municipalities with a history of alleged discrimination to seek pre-clearance before altering their voting systems. Democrats had leveraged the law to sue towns with at-large voting systems, arguing they disadvantaged minority populations. However, critics argued that the law classified people by race and national origin, undermining equal protection principles.

One case involved the town of Newburgh, where six Black and Hispanic residents filed suit claiming the at-large voting system — allowing all voters to elect all board members — prevented minority candidates from being elected. They demanded the creation of single-member districts, asserting these changes would better represent the town’s demographic makeup.

The court, however, rejected these claims, stating that the NYVRA “on its face, classifies people according to their race, color and national origin” and violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The ruling struck down the law entirely, emphasizing that federal constitutional protections supersede state legislation.

The Town of Mount Pleasant faced a similar lawsuit, with Hispanic plaintiffs arguing that its at-large system diluted their voting power. Mount Pleasant had previously declared it would not accept illegal immigrants due to insufficient resources, prompting speculation that the lawsuit aimed to force the town to reverse its stance on immigration.

Critics say the NYVRA was a tool for Democrats to impose progressive policies on towns resisting illegal immigration. The court’s decision ensures that municipalities can maintain their election systems without being strong-armed into adopting policies that could destabilize their communities.

This ruling is a victory for local governments defending their autonomy against state overreach. By invalidating the NYVRA, the court has affirmed the principle that laws should serve all citizens equally, not divide communities by race or political agenda.