Hundreds of thousands of immigrants could get the right to vote in New York City elections under a proposal lawmakers are considering.

A City Council hearing was set Thursday on a plan to enfranchise people who are in the country legally, but aren’t citizens. Advocates estimate that could be more than 800,000 people.

The idea has been floated in the council for years.

Many U.S. states once let non-citizens vote, though policies changed by the 1930s. But some Maryland cities now allow it.
Supporters say immigrants who pay taxes deserve to decide who spends them. Critics say voting should be reserved for citizens.

New York state election law prohibits immigrants from voting. But supporters argue the city has the right to set its own policies for local elections.

(AP)