A hidden camera captured a startling exchange within a New York City election office, revealing a worker’s candid admission about handling voter registration applications. An undercover reporter, posing as a noncitizen, approached the worker seeking to register, initiating a conversation that exposed a troubling process.
The worker readily admitted to processing applications from individuals who weren’t citizens, stating it occasionally happened. He described instances where people would register despite not being U.S. citizens, acknowledging the situation wasn’t uncommon within the system.
When the reporter clarified his status as a Canadian green card holder, the worker immediately corrected him. He firmly stated that citizenship was a requirement for voter registration, emphasizing, “You gotta be a citizen to fill it out.”
Despite the clear legal requirement, the worker conceded they couldn’t physically prevent someone from submitting a fraudulent application. He warned of potential “legal situations” that had arisen when noncitizens attempted to register, hinting at the serious consequences involved.
Pressed further, the worker reiterated he wouldn’t actively prevent the reporter from applying. He pointed to the explicit citizenship requirement stated on the form itself, essentially shifting responsibility to the applicant and the subsequent review process.
The most revealing moment came when the reporter directly asked if the worker would report him for submitting an application as a noncitizen. The response was blunt and unsettling: “That’s not my job to report anyone.”
The worker clarified his role was simply to collect and submit the applications, leaving the verification and potential legal ramifications to other departments. He was, in essence, a conduit for potentially illegal registrations.
New York law explicitly prohibits noncitizens from registering to vote. A recent attempt to grant voting rights to noncitizens in local elections was deemed unconstitutional last year, underscoring the legal framework surrounding this issue.
This incident raises serious questions about the safeguards in place to prevent noncitizen voter registration and the potential vulnerabilities within the New York City Board of Elections process. The worker’s admission highlights a concerning disconnect between policy and practice.
