That mail ballot had to travel a long way — from Joliet to the Vatican City, where Pope Leo XIV has led the Catholic church since white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel in May 2025.
This isn’t specifically about the Pope, or dual or triple citizenship, but I have long ordered how it is ethical for a dual citizen to actually vote in more than one place.
I mean, I am personally a dual citizen and pay taxes in both countries, but I really don’t feel right voting in elections effecting the place that I do not live in.
The one person, one vote thing - as idealistic as it is - sort of matters to me… either that or I’m justifying my laziness.
Non citizens who live here do pay taxes and should be able to vote in at the very least local elections. They live here, they contribute to the local economy, they should have a say as much as someone born in a different state who moves in. Imo a lot of the citizenship voting laws are a dog whistle for racism, trying to prevent the “wrong type” from influencing elections.
Then again, I also believe that the immigration system is designed to be as difficult to properly follow as possible to keep people from getting access to the same rights and services citizens get. Usually this is, again, the “wrong people” kept from getting their resident or citizenship.
This isn’t specifically about the Pope, or dual or triple citizenship, but I have long ordered how it is ethical for a dual citizen to actually vote in more than one place.
I mean, I am personally a dual citizen and pay taxes in both countries, but I really don’t feel right voting in elections effecting the place that I do not live in.
The one person, one vote thing - as idealistic as it is - sort of matters to me… either that or I’m justifying my laziness.
If you pay taxes in both places, why wouldn’t it be right to be able to vote?
Well then we enter into “what about non citizens that pay taxes” argument.
Non citizens who live here do pay taxes and should be able to vote in at the very least local elections. They live here, they contribute to the local economy, they should have a say as much as someone born in a different state who moves in. Imo a lot of the citizenship voting laws are a dog whistle for racism, trying to prevent the “wrong type” from influencing elections.
Then again, I also believe that the immigration system is designed to be as difficult to properly follow as possible to keep people from getting access to the same rights and services citizens get. Usually this is, again, the “wrong people” kept from getting their resident or citizenship.
To which I ask, out of ignorance, “Why are non citizens paying taxes if they aren’t getting the benefits of citizenship?”
Sales taxes.
Income taxes.
Property taxes.
The list goes on if you want to get detailed about what kinds of added taxes when you buy things from a special area.
Thank you.
It is early where I am and none of this would enter my brain on its own. How could I forget about sales taxes lmao