California City Voters Opposed to Noncitizen Voting Measure in Preliminary Results

Voters in Santa Ana, California, turned out against amending the city's charter to allow noncitizen city residents to vote in all municipal elections, according to preliminary election results as of Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m.

Those opposed have 65 percent of the vote, while those in favor have 35 percent. The results will continue to be updated in the days ahead.

A "Yes" vote showed support for allowing any person who has established residency in the city to vote in all municipal elections—regardless of whether the person is a U.S. citizen—so long as they meet all the other requirements to vote in the state.

The measure would have granted both legal and illegal immigrants the right to vote in all local elections, including the mayoral and city council races and on proposed sales tax increases and municipal bond measures.

In an argument against Measure DD, former Santa Ana Councilmember Nelida Mendoza said the ordinance would cost local taxpayers $10 million and result in budget cuts to public safety, emergency services, and other city functions.

The Santa Ana City Council approved the placement of Measure DD on the ballot through a 4–3 vote on Nov. 7, 2023.

"Federal law is clear that noncitizens can vote in local elections if state and local law allows it," wrote the councilmembers in favor of the measure.

Carlos Perea, Santa Ana Police oversight commissioner, told The Epoch Times: "Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party actually defended noncitizen voting as an important part of the pathway to citizenship, while pro-slavery forces at the time tried to end noncitizen voting because immigrants generally opposed slavery. We're building on Lincoln's legacy by fighting for Measure DD."

Councilmembers Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza and Mayor Valerie Amezcua, the minority, voted against bringing the measure to voters.

Elsewhere in the state, noncitizens can vote in local school board elections in San Francisco, while Oakland has also passed a similar measure.