A Los Angeles city councilmember has introduced a motion to explore allowing noncitizens to vote in future city elections, a proposal that would first require voter approval to amend the city charter. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez filed the motion, which does not authorize noncitizen voting but asks voters whether the city should be allowed to study the idea in the future. The measure would need to pass the council’s rules committee and then the full council before reaching the ballot.**
Opponents argue the proposal undermines citizenship.
The motion has drawn criticism from groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which argues that voting is a right reserved for citizens. Ira Mehlman, a spokesperson for FAIR, said the proposal “undermines the whole concept of citizenship.” He cited the Constitution’s preamble, which begins with “We the People of the United States,” as evidence that voting is a privilege for citizens.
Supporters frame the measure as a step toward inclusivity.
Soto-Martinez, whose parents were once undocumented, said the proposal aims to give immigrant communities a voice in local decisions. “We have folks living in this country who have been here 20 years,” he said. “They started a family, they pay their taxes, many of them are homeowners, but they don’t have a say over the policies that affect their children and families.” The measure would apply to city and school board elections, including races for mayor and City Council seats.
Federal law bans noncitizen voting in national elections, but some cities allow limited participation.
Several U.S. cities, including some in California, and the District of Columbia permit noncitizens to vote in certain local elections. However, 18 states have enacted outright bans on noncitizen voting. Soto-Martinez’s motion does not specify details like eligibility requirements or implementation, which would be determined later if voters approve the charter amendment.
The proposal faces procedural hurdles.
Before reaching voters, the motion must clear the council’s rules committee and then the full council. If approved, voters would decide in November whether to amend the city charter to allow further exploration of noncitizen voting. Even if voters approve, the council would still need to pass an ordinance revising election laws to implement any changes.