The bill, known as "Our City, Our Vote," would make New York City the largest municipality in the country to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

The legislation, expected to be approved by the City Council on Dec. 9 by a veto-proof margin, comes as the country is dealing with a swath of new laws to impose voter restrictions, as well as the economic and demographic effects of a decline in immigration.

Voters in Alabama, Colorado and Florida passed ballot measures last year specifying that only U.S. citizens could vote. The states joined Arizona and North Dakota in specifying that noncitizens could not vote in state and local elections.

"It's important for the Democratic Party to look at New York City and see that when voting rights are being attacked, we are expanding voter participation," said Ydanis Rodriguez, a councilman who sponsored the bill and represents Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan.