Los Angeles City Council Advances Proposal for Noncitizen Voting in Local Elections

The Los Angeles City Council advanced a proposal on June 19, 2026, to allow voters to decide in November whether noncitizens may vote in municipal and school board elections. The proposal, introduced by Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez and seconded by Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, was approved by a 10-5 vote as part of a charter reform package. Critics, including Elon Musk and GOP senators, expressed concerns about the implications of the proposal, suggesting it could empower noncitizens against federal immigration enforcement. The city clerk's file indicates that the measure would require the city attorney to prepare documents for a charter amendment allowing the council to later introduce an ordinance for noncitizen voting. During the debate, Soto-Martínez argued that long-term noncitizen residents should have a voice in local governance. However, some council members questioned the feasibility of implementing such a voting system without further consultation with Los Angeles County. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and the proposal would be limited to city and Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education races.