Los Angeles Council Removes Non-Citizen Voting Measure Amid ICE Concerns

A contentious initiative that would have allowed non-citizens to vote in local Los Angeles elections has been removed from the November ballot. The Los Angeles City Council voted to pull the proposal, citing fears that it could inadvertently expose non-citizen residents to scrutiny by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The initiative, championed by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, aimed to create a pathway for the city to later develop an ordinance enabling non-citizens to vote in municipal elections, such as those for mayor, council members, and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board. Proponents argued that residents who live, work, pay taxes, and are affected by city decisions should have a voice in local governance.

However, significant concerns were raised by other council members regarding privacy and potential future consequences for non-citizen voters. Councilmember John Lee pointed to San Francisco's experience, where non-citizen parents can vote in school board elections. He noted that ballots in San Francisco warn voters that information provided to the Department of Elections, including names and addresses, could be accessed by ICE. Lee emphasized these were "real problems" that needed resolution before Los Angeles could consider a similar system.

Councilmember Traci Park echoed these concerns, questioning the initiative's lack of thorough review and analysis before reaching the council. She stressed the importance of protecting migrants and sought clarification on eligibility criteria and the definition of "legal resident." While Soto-Martínez acknowledged that many issues needed further discussion, he pushed back against the objections, highlighting the potential for greater civic participation.