Los Angeles City Council Approves Measure to Grant Noncitizens Voting Rights in Local Elections

In a decisive 10‑to‑5 vote on June 17, the Los Angeles City Council cleared a charter amendment that will put a measure on the November 3 ballot, allowing noncitizen residents to vote in citywide and school board elections. The proposal, introduced by Councilmember Hugo Soto‑Martinez, aims to give those who pay taxes and raise families a voice in the government that shapes their daily lives.

The amendment would modify the city charter so that the council can later adopt an ordinance authorizing eligible noncitizens to vote in municipal contests. Eligibility would be limited to residents who have lived in the city for a specified period, pay local taxes, and meet other residency requirements. The proposal also extends voting rights to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, following the example of San Francisco and Oakland, which already allow noncitizens to vote in school board elections.

Los Angeles has one of the largest foreign‑born populations in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 5‑year estimate, 36 percent of the city’s residents—about 1.4 million people—were born abroad. The estimate does not include undocumented residents, so the number of noncitizen residents is likely higher. While the exact number of voting‑age noncitizens is unknown, the measure is expected to affect a significant portion of the electorate.

Councilmember Soto‑Martinez said the measure responds to federal and state efforts to restrict voting rights. “I want this to be a way to show the world that Los Angeles is going the opposite direction of the federal government,” he said. “While they are trying to take away people’s rights, we’re expanding it.” The motion’s language emphasizes that noncitizen residents contribute economically and culturally but remain disenfranchised in local elections that shape their quality of life.

The charter amendment is part of a broader package of reforms approved by the council. The package also includes proposals to increase police commission oversight and to change the city’s charter, but the expansion of the council to 25 members was set aside for further study. The measure will be one of several items on the November ballot, which also includes other charter changes and local ballot initiatives.

California law does not prohibit noncitizens from voting in state or local elections, but federal law bars them from voting in federal elections. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the federal prohibition, and the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 imposes penalties for noncitizens who vote in federal elections. However, local jurisdictions have historically allowed noncitizen voting. In 2023, Washington, D.C. began permitting noncitizen residents to vote in local elections, and several cities in Vermont and Maryland have long allowed it. The measure would make Los Angeles the largest U.S. city to expand local voting rights to noncitizens.

Supporters argue that the measure would increase representation for a demographic that makes up a substantial portion of the city’s electorate. Critics raise concerns about the logistics of verifying residency and preventing fraud, though no evidence of widespread fraud in other jurisdictions has been documented. The city council’s decision reflects a broader debate over voting rights in California, where local governments have taken steps to expand access while state and federal authorities have pursued restrictions.

If approved by voters, the measure would require the city to establish an ordinance detailing eligibility, registration procedures, and ballot access for noncitizen residents. The ordinance would also outline how the city would verify residency and tax payment. The city has not yet set a timeline for when the ordinance would take effect, but it would likely be implemented before the next municipal election cycle.

The measure’s inclusion on the November ballot will give Los Angeles voters a direct say on whether noncitizen residents can participate in local elections. The outcome will have implications for representation, civic engagement, and the city’s relationship with its diverse population. The measure also positions Los Angeles within a growing national conversation about who is entitled to vote in local and state elections.