LET US VOTE: ALIENS

First an impassioned cry to allow felons to vote, now non-citizens, whats next, ballots in Belarus?

April 5, 2006 -- A push to give Big Apple residents who aren't citizens the right to vote kicks off today, with throngs of immigrants flocking to City Hall to back legislation giving them access to the ballot box.

The Voting Rights Restoration Act would allow permanent residents, or "green card" holders, who have lived in the city for more than six months to vote in local elections.

"We have a large number of people who are documented and pay taxes, but can't vote," said Councilman Kendall Stewart (D-Manhattan), chairman of the council's Immigration Committee and a prime sponsor of the bill.

But Councilman James Oddo (R-S.I), who opposes the bill, called it "an affront on hardworking Americans."