WORCESTER, Mass. - The city's Board of Election Commissioners is discussing the possibility of allowing all legal Worcester residents the ability to vote locally.

City Councilor Sarai Rivera proposed the idea earlier this year. It would allow any legal resident, who isn’t naturalized yet, the ability to vote in local elections.

City Clerk Niko Vangjeli said places like New York City already allow it. He's looking to those communities for advice on how the process can be done.

"One of the things we strive for in the City of Worcester is to do our homework before we initiate discussions so we'll be in contact with election officials in NYC,” Vangjeli said. “I’m also going to contact the Secretary of State in other cities who have had similar discussions regarding allowing non U.S. citizens to participate in local elections."

The state would have to approve special legislation for this to happen in Worcester. Vangjeli said it could help boost voter turnout in future elections.