The chair of the City Hall's Immigration Committee, Daniel Dromm (D-District 25), recently proposed a bill requesting that green-card holders or permanent residents be able to vote in the elections for mayor, city advocate, city comptroller, and City Council members. If the bill is passed, about one million people would benefit from it, with 500,000 of them residing in Queens. Currently, this bill has the support of 10 City Council members; however, there are City Council members who oppose it. 

This bill proposes that permanent residents who live in New York City for longer than six months be able to register to vote in city elections, assuming they comply with other voter registration requirements. The city elections include primary, special election, and general elections. These permanent residents would be deemed "Municipal Voters" and would be designated as "M" on the registration application. They would be treated the same way as other voters and be able to use the same machines and voting booths without discrimination.   

The two Chinese-American City Council members have a conservative attitude towards the bill. Margaret Chin (D-District 1) and Peter Koo (R-District 20) said that they would need the details and discuss the bill with Dromm to make a decision. At the same time, both of them currently believe the more important agenda should be systematic voting reforms. They encourage more citizens to register and come out to vote. Chin pointed out that in her district, many citizens registered in order to cast a vote for her; however, many people did not vote the second year. She hopes that Chinese voters would come out to vote each time. 

Political scientists point out that if the bill is passed, it would have great impact on Asian voters and politicians. 

Since John Liu's election as City Comptroller, the passion for Asian political participation is on the rise in all parties and there is a clear understanding of which candidates to support. These new voters are likely to have a great impact on tight local races. 

Dromm hopes to secure support from 26 City Council members. Gale Brewer (D-District 6), Ydanis Rodriguez (D-District 10), Rosie Mendez (D-District 2), Helen D. Foster (D-District 16), Annabel Palma (D-District 18), Letitia James (D-District 35), Brad Lander (D-District 39), Jumaane D. Williams (D-District 45), and Deborah Rose (D-District 49) are currently behind the bill. City Councilmember Daniel Halloran (R-District 19) has come out against the bill.  

"Some City Council Members, who were not thought to be supportive of such a bill, came out to support to it; however, those we thought would be supportive of the bill have not come out to support it," Dromm said.   

According to Dromm, permanent residents and citizens all pay taxes. They already have the qualifications to become citizens eventually. They should have the right to vote like citizens. Forty-five other countries currently have a similar bill. Many immigration organizations are lining up to urge for passage of the bill.