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Greenbelt council approves charter change to allow noncitizen residents to vote
Summary
The Greenbelt City Council unanimously adopted ordinance and resolution amendments to allow eligible noncitizen adult residents to register and vote in city elections, setting a 21‑day pre‑election registration deadline and directing staff to establish implementation procedures before the next municipal election.
Greenbelt — The City Council voted unanimously on the second reading to amend the city charter and code to permit eligible noncitizen adult residents to register and vote in Greenbelt municipal elections.
The council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 8 (Elections) and a companion resolution that repeals and reenacts charter sections on voters, registration and voter identity. The changes were recommended by the Greenbelt Board of Elections and approved after a public hearing in which dozens of residents and regional officials urged adoption.
Why it matters: Supporters said the change will allow long‑term residents who pay taxes and use city services to have a voice in decisions about schools, public safety and local spending. "Greenbelt is a vibrant and diverse community enriched by residents from various cultural and national backgrounds," said Aden Aron, a policy analyst with CASA, during the public hearing.
What the council decided: The council approved both the ordinance and the resolution in separate roll‑call and voice votes. The city clerk recorded "Yes" votes from Miss McKinney, Miss Pompey, Ms. Niesel, Mr. Roberts, Miss Weaver and Mayor Jordan; the motions carried. The resolution amends charter sections 15, 18, 19, 26 and 33 and adjusts code section 8‑2 to add noncitizen registration with a 21‑day pre‑election deadline.
Implementation and administrative details: Board of Elections staff said the change will require the city to create a process separate from county registrations. Steve Gilbert, speaking for the board, outlined steps the board took in drafting the amendments and said the legislation requires registrants to provide proof of Greenbelt residence (for example, a Maryland driver's license, a lease or a university document) or to sign an affidavit attesting to residency. The board noted that affidavits carry a sworn statement and a statement of perjury penalties under Maryland law, though any prosecution would be handled by the state attorney.
City staff warned the council that implementing the new registration system will require administrative work—new registration forms, multilingual outreach and marketing materials, staff time to process registrations and, if necessary, temporary hires to handle spikes in demand. City Manager Sam Maron said staff will estimate labor hours and costs once the legislation is final and will prepare the registration process ahead of the next municipal election.
Background and context: The council referred the charter amendments after an advisory question in the 2023 city election showed resident support (about 59% in favor). Several neighboring Maryland municipalities, including Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Frederick and Takoma Park, were cited during the hearing as precedents for municipal noncitizen voting.
What happens next: Council directed staff to move forward with administrative planning to implement the registration process and outreach ahead of the next municipal election cycle. The board and city staff will present operational details, including any temporary staffing needs and timelines, for council review.
