Full Breakdown
Los Angeles City Council Advances Ballot Measure to Allow Non-Citizens to Vote in Local Elections
6/21/2026, 12:56:53 AM
Measure Overview
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a 10-5 vote to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 3, 2024 ballot that would permit non-citizen residents to vote in city council and Los Angeles Unified School District elections. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez introduced the proposal, which would require the city attorney to draft an ordinance after voter approval; the ordinance would need council and mayoral sign-off before taking effect. Data USA estimates 1.3-1.4 million non-citizens live in the city, about 36 % of its population.
Stakeholder Positions
Proponents say the measure expands representation for residents who pay taxes and have children in public schools. Soto-Martínez said it would give “people who live here, who pay their taxes, a voice.” Councilmember Nithya Raman supports “exploring, expanding” voting rights. Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso called the amendment “permissible” and said it gives the city time to address logistical issues. Opponents cite administrative burdens and fraud risk. Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and John Lee raised cost and trust concerns; Lee warned changes to voting eligibility must be handled with “utmost public trust and legitimacy.” Councilmember Imelda Padilla warned the plan could disincentivize naturalization. Republican leaders—including Los Angeles County GOP chair Roxanne Hoge, Senator Mike Lee, and Senator Rick Scott—called it an illegal expansion of voting rights. Elon Musk said it “imports voters to win.” The city clerk’s file says the amendment would task the city attorney with drafting charter-change documents, with implementation pending a later ordinance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on timing: some describe the measure as a 2024 ballot question, while the clerk’s file references a November 2026 charter amendment that would give the council authority to later enact an ordinance. Population estimates range from 1.3 million to 1.4 million, and eligibility criteria such as residency duration remain undefined.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It just does not make sense to me that someone who moves to Los Angeles for a temporary job has more of a voice than a parent who has been here for decades raising their children through public schools,” — Hugo Soto-Martínez, Councilmember
- “Election laws are different from ordinary policy decisions. They establish rules under which elected officials are chosen and held accountable, and because of that, changes to voting eligibility should be approached with the utmost public trust and legitimacy,” — John Lee, Councilmember
- “They have imported voters to win,” — Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX
What’s Next
Voters will decide the amendment on Nov. 3, 2024. If approved, the city attorney will draft the enabling ordinance, which must be adopted by the council and signed by the mayor before any non-citizen voting can occur. The measure could shape statewide debates on voting eligibility and may prompt legal challenges under state and federal election law.