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 non-citizen, approached the worker seeking to register, initiating a conversation that exposed a troubling process.
The worker acknowledged that individuals who are not citizens occasionally attempt to register to vote. He described instances of people presenting themselves for registration despite not meeting the citizenship requirement, a situation he admitted occurred “once in a while.”
When the reporter specifically stated he was a green card holder, the worker immediately clarified the requirement: only citizens can legally register. He explicitly stated he wouldn’t personally complete the application for someone who wasn’t a citizen, emphasizing the clear legal stipulations.
Despite this, the worker conceded that the office couldn’t actively prevent someone from submitting an application. He warned of potential “legal situations” that had arisen when non-citizens attempted to register, subtly hinting at the risks involved.
Pressed further by the reporter, who insisted on registering anyway, the worker reiterated his inability to dictate the reporter’s actions. He pointed to the explicit “American citizen” declaration on the form, stating the consequences of misrepresentation would be the applicant’s responsibility.
The worker’s most revealing statement came when directly asked if he would report a non-citizen submitting an application. He firmly stated, “That’s not my job to report anyone.” His role, he explained, was simply to collect and submit the application, regardless of its validity.
This revelation is particularly significant given that New York law prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote. A recent attempt to extend voting rights to non-citizens in local elections was deemed unconstitutional last year, reinforcing the existing legal framework.
The footage raises serious questions about the safeguards in place to prevent non-citizen voter registration and the responsibility of election workers to uphold the law. It highlights a potential vulnerability in the system and a concerning disconnect between stated requirements and actual practice.
