A Plan in Los Angeles to Allow Noncitizens to Vote

A Los Angeles City Council member is advancing a proposal that would allow noncitizens to vote in local city elections. Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez formally launched the effort Tuesday, saying many immigrant residents contribute to the city by paying taxes, raising families, and participating in their communities without having a voice at the ballot box. He pointed to his own parents’ experience as an example.

If approved, the measure would allow noncitizens to vote in Los Angeles municipal elections, including races for mayor, City Council, and Los Angeles Unified School District positions. The proposal would not apply to state or federal elections, which are restricted to U.S. citizens.

For the measure to appear on the November ballot, the Los Angeles City Council must approve it by next Wednesday. Similar policies already exist in several U.S. cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, as well as municipalities in Vermont and Maryland, where some noncitizen residents can participate in local elections.