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Rep. Tom Suozzi Challenges Elon Musk’s Claims on Noncitizen Voting
Congressman Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from New York, has unequivocally dismissed assertions made by Elon Musk regarding noncitizen voting in his state as “myth” and “completely inaccurate.” Musk had previously alleged that Democrats in states like New York and California were employing strategies to register illegal immigrants as voters. Suozzi responded directly to these claims, clarifying his stance on the matter.
“I don’t want noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections. That’s actually a myth that Elon Musk said on a show where he was talking about noncitizens voting in New York — it’s just not true,” Suozzi stated following a question posed by a reporter on Capitol Hill concerning his voting record.
Recently, Suozzi opposed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to restrict federal voting rights exclusively to legal U.S. residents. During previous legislative sessions, he supported measures that sought to prevent noncitizen voting, including a ban on such practices in local elections in Washington, D.C.
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In a bold rebuttal to Musk’s allegations, Suozzi remarked, “It’s an actual lie,” stressing the importance of accurate discourse on this contentious issue as he entered the Capitol building. The discussion surrounding noncitizen voting continues to intensify, particularly in liberal areas such as New York City.
In January 2022, an ordinance by the New York City council aimed to permit lawful permanent residents, including green card holders and DACA recipients, to vote in municipal elections. However, the law was quickly challenged and ultimately overturned by the courts, leading to the state’s appeals court affirming the rejection of the measure. Had it been implemented, it was estimated that around 800,000 noncitizens would have been added to the city’s voter rolls, according to reports from the New York Times.
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In the backdrop of these claims, Musk has articulated a broader Republican concern that the Democratic Party is allegedly attempting to increase the voter base by facilitating noncitizen voting, particularly due to historical voting patterns that favor Democrats. During a podcast appearance, Musk emphasized his belief that welfare fraud associated with illegal immigrants serves as a “magnetic force” attracting them to the U.S. He argued that addressing such fraud could potentially impact the Democratic voter base significantly.
Musk further claimed that noncitizens were already voting in New York and referenced similar situations in California, where noncitizens are allowed to participate in local elections in certain districts. He alleged that approximately 600,000 noncitizens might be registered to vote in New York, a claim that Suozzi vehemently refuted.
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Suozzi criticized Musk’s assertions as misleading, stating, “He’s spreading it like a gospel and pissing all these people off behind a complete fabrication.” He underscored the responsibility of public figures like Musk to provide accurate information to their audiences.
In reaction to Suozzi’s rebuttal, communications from the White House emphasized that noncitizen voting is a significant concern, with spokesperson Liz Huston arguing that dismissing this issue is irresponsible. Meanwhile, Republican representatives reiterated that claims of widespread noncitizen voting are not only inaccurate but also politically motivated, with some calling attention to the risk of manipulating public opinion through misinformation.
The debate over noncitizen voting remains a contentious issue in American politics, reflecting broader divisions on immigration and voter rights. As stakeholders continue to navigate this complex landscape, clarity and fact-based discussions are critical to fostering informed debate.
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