L.A. City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez was joined by voting rights advocates at a June 9 press conference in support of the motion. (photo courtesy of the 13th Council District office)

A Los Angeles City Council majority on June 17 supported a motion that would place a measure on the November ballot asking voters to decide whether non-citizens can vote in L.A. municipal elections.

The council voted 10-5 to ask the city attorney to draft language for the ballot initiative, which would seek an amendment to the city charter. The measure will return to the City Council for a final vote on ballot language and would further require approval from Mayor Karen Bass before being placed on the November ballot. It has yet to be determined how “non-citizen” will be defined.

“Today’s vote is an important step toward a more inclusive democracy,” said Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez, 13th District, who authored the motion. “Hundreds of thousands of Angelenos contribute to our city every day – raising families, paying taxes, supporting local businesses and strengthening our communities. They deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard on the local issues that affect their lives.”

Soto-Martinez is seeking to establish a residential voting campaign to expand voting rights in local elections. The program would only allow non-citizens to vote in L.A. city elections, not county, state or federal elections. If approved by voters, it would still need additional approvals from the City Council and mayor to establish eligibility requirements, registration procedures and safeguards.

“My own parents spent decades working, paying taxes and raising their children in Los Angeles without the right to vote,” Soto-Martínez said. “Their story is the story of hundreds of thousands of Angelenos who contribute to this city every day and deserve a voice in the decisions that affect our community.”

The motion is supported by immigrant rights groups and advocates in the community.

“I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 2002. I work here, I pay taxes here and for more than two decades, I’ve cared for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents as a caregiver,” said Grace McManus, a legal permanent resident and member of the Pilipino Workers Center. “Like so many longtime residents, I contribute to this city every day, yet I’ve often felt invisible and unheard. Residential voting is about making sure people like me have a voice in the decisions that affect our families and our communities.”

While a majority on the council supported the measure, Councilmembers Adrin Nazarian, 2nd District; Bob Blumenfield, 3rd District; Monica Rodriguez, 7th District; John Lee, 12th District; and Tim McOsker, 15th District, voted in opposition.

“I support the goal of expanding civic participation for those who contribute to Los Angeles, but given that the county administers our elections, this proposal has not been adequately vetted to determine whether it can actually be implemented. I do not want to make promises to our communities that we are unlikely to be able to deliver,” Rodriguez said. “I also remain concerned that creating a new non-citizen voter database could unintentionally create greater exposure and risks for immigrant communities, which is why I believe this proposal requires further study before moving forward.”

“I didn’t want to support a half-baked policy that could put the city in a serious legal predicament. We have no idea what the fiscal impact of this would be and without key information and assurances, I couldn’t vote to put this on the ballot,” Blumenfield said. “Furthermore, the measure didn’t simply expand the voter role, it would give the council unprecedented power to expand the voter rolls in unrestricted and undefined ways forever moving forward.”

Lee added that it would give the council unprecedented power to potentially control elections.

“I oppose empowering council members to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections,” Lee said. “Giving politicians ongoing authority to change election laws – including determining voter eligibility – will inevitably be viewed as benefiting allies or disadvantaging opponents and undermine public confidence in our elections.”