MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Should noncitizens be allowed to vote in municipal elections? That question was at the center of arguments heard Wednesday by the Vermont Supreme Court.

The court heard appeals from conservative nonprofit Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections on behalf of two Burlington residents. They argued that since municipal elections include school budgets -- which are funded by the state -- it violates the Vermont Constitution, which says only U.S. citizens can vote on any matter that concerns the state.

“All of these school budgets fund the statewide appropriation, and therefore the statewide tax burdens. So, whereas they’re deciding what they’re going to spend, that is not something that’s isolated in a vacuum,” said James Hasson, speaking for the plaintiffs.

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