Noncitizen Voting Proposal in Los Angeles Faces Challenges

Federal immigration agents targeting undocumented workers in Southern California marked a tense time for many. Los Angeles faced situations where workers were detained in various locations, including car washes and Home Depot parking lots. In response, Angelica Salas, from an influential immigrant rights group, collaborated over the summer with City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez. Their discussions centered on the limited political power of noncitizens.

Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, highlighted a significant issue: immigrants lacking the right to vote. This dialogue influenced Soto-Martínez’s April decision to propose noncitizen voting rights in city and school district elections. The idea quickly progressed, with the council voting in June to draft it for the November ballot.

However, on Tuesday, the council decided to halt the proposal, sending it for further committee examination. Soto-Martínez admitted insufficient outreach to leaders, particularly in the Black community. Critics accused the council of unpreparedness, uncertain about whether undocumented immigrants would receive voting rights and the risk posed by the Trump administration. Community leaders, including clergy represented by Rev. K.W. Tulloss, cautioned against hastily advancing the proposal due to potential adverse impacts on Black voter representation.

L.A.’s Black community comprises about 8% of registered voters, as per Political Data, Inc. This percentage has dwindled over the years. More noncitizen voters could further decrease it. The city council’s composition reflects such shifts with upcoming changes in representation. Concerns about the dilution of Black voting power and the overall effectiveness of the proposal were prevalent.

Despite supporting a citizenship path for undocumented residents, fears persisted over divisiveness within communities. Rev. Tulloss highlighted such concerns. Soto-Martínez outlined that his run for City Council in 2022 included noncitizen voting in his campaign platform. Earlier inspirations came from a San Francisco measure allowing noncitizen school board voting, illustrating historical expansions of voting rights.

The notion of noncitizen voting in L.A. isn’t new, but COVID-19 halted early efforts. More recently, the proposal faced challenges due to concerns over unintended consequences, like potential targeting by authorities. Raymond Meza, chair of a citizens commission that rejected the idea in March, expressed apprehensions about risks to newly registered immigrant voters.

In April, facing a ballot deadline for November, Soto-Martínez suggested a two-step process granting voting rights to noncitizens. Still, specifics remained vague. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez opposed the proposal, fearing the federal government’s access to the voters’ list. Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also expressed timing concerns amidst potential deportation risks.

Soto-Martínez saw such apprehensions as fearmongering, stating that immigrants already face daily risks for better lives. Salas concurred, emphasizing ongoing targeting of immigrants, regardless of voting against the measure.

Beyond federal threats, logistical details stymied the proposal. Rodriguez noted undecided issues like ballot separation and associated costs. Noncitizen voting implemented in 22 jurisdictions reflects its feasibility but highlights the need for robust coalition building, according to Megan Dias, a co-author of San Francisco’s immigrant voting report.

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson expects a more thorough review soon, aiming for a 2028 ballot inclusion. He stressed the necessity of clear details and plans to protect voting districts.

Debates uncovered questions about eligibility for green card holders and other noncitizen categories. Harris-Dawson emphasized, “When something goes to the ballot, we need the details to be figured out.” Every aspect, from costs to operations, must be defined for future consideration.