Allowing non-citizens to vote

[Gustaf]

Did you ever stop and wonder why? Why would they take that risk with a naturalization procedure? I shall tell you why. The naturalization process is complicated. It is contigent upon a test administered in English, a language few from Mexico speak, and that's assuming they can read and write. You may rebut with a statement that they should just learn English. As someone who has taught themself two languages, I can tell you it isn't easy for the most able. If you're not the most gifted person, it's even more arduous. If you will reasonably simlplify the process, you will acquire some validity. If not, one can point to the many walls that prevent those who wish to be citizens.

I don't know what ancestry you are from migrendel, but mine came here and they didn't speak a lick of English.  They took the test, they went in legally.  I'm sorry, but that's simply the way it is, you want to be a citizen, you have to follow the rules.  SIMPLE.

This sounds like a silly idea to me. Why should non-citizens be able to vote? I know I wouldn't be happy if the French or Germans could vote in UK elections. It's a ludicrous idea.

Thank you.  

In Sweden there is more slack in local elections than in national ones. Does any of your countries have differences between different elections in this matter? Also, in our recent referendum, foreign citizens were allowed to vote because the politicians judged they were more likely to vote for the *right* option, thus improving the chances of a correct outcome. Isn't that often a reason for different opinions in these matters?

[Gustaf]

As far as I know the UK is actually the world's only county to let non-citizens vote in national elections, though only those from Ireland and the Commonwealth. Extending that to EU citizens was actually considered around 1997/8, if I remember right. Most EU countries let their fellow EU people vote in local elections by now.

Migrendel, I totally agree personally that to live wherever you want and enjoy full equality there is actually a human right and that anyone who finds a way around immigration laws -they are worse in Europe than in America, btw- should be encouraged. But that's a losing battle in discussions among European leftwingers for Christ's Sake, so maybe we should just let the subject drop...

Sweden allowed non-citizens to vote on adoption of the euro. But that's just b/c we knew they would vote "YES"...

[Gustaf]

This is a weird debate. Does anyone actually support ILLEGAL immigrants getting the right to vote? It makes no sense whatsoever.

[Gustaf]

It appears that migrendel does.

Migrendel is an extreme extremist with extreme opinions. He doesn't really count...

OK, apart from Migrendel then.

[Gustaf]

It appears that migrendel does.

Migrendel is an extreme extremist with extreme opinions. He doesn't really count...

OK, apart from Migrendel then.

lol, that's a way of stopping a debate, eh?

Nice move, huh?

[Gustaf]

Migrendel is an extreme extremist with extreme opinions. He doesn't really count...

Migrendel is no more extreme than Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Buchanan, John Ashcroft, Ann Coulter, etc.

No, but I'd say he is AS extreme as these people. Though not as stupid, hateful or insane as some of them, I don't want him to be offended.

[Gustaf]

It appears that migrendel does.

Migrendel is an extreme extremist with extreme opinions. He doesn't really count...

OK, apart from Migrendel then.

I'm an extreme extremist with extreme opinions, but for the other side. Oh, well that would explain why I am COMPLETELY, TOTALLY against allowing illegal immigrants to vote.  Personally, I think they should all be deported.

Deported? Btw, your opinion counts as much as Migrendel's, I'm afraid, lol...

[Gustaf]

It appears that migrendel does.

Migrendel is an extreme extremist with extreme opinions. He doesn't really count...

OK, apart from Migrendel then.

I'm an extreme extremist with extreme opinions, but for the other side. Oh, well that would explain why I am COMPLETELY, TOTALLY against allowing illegal immigrants to vote.  Personally, I think they should all be deported.

Deported? Btw, your opinion counts as much as Migrendel's, I'm afraid, lol...

Alright. Well, I guess if you're gonna pick on us extremists...

I'm a moderate, what do you expect?

[Gustaf]

Yes Migrendel is right, allow non citizens to vote. That way one party could have thousands of non-citizens brought over to vote for their party. Oh, wait, the democrats did that in 2000.

Is that a fact?

To Republicans anyway...