The Los Angeles City Council has moved a proposal forward that would allow city voters to decide on noncitizen voting in municipal and school board elections. This decision drew reactions from notable figures, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, GOP senators, and conservative commentators. Musk expressed concern by implying that new citizens were being added to influence voting results.
Senator Mike Lee from Utah criticized the council’s proposal, linking it to city officials’ opposition to federal immigration enforcement practices. Lee stated, ‘The LA City Council wants to give local voting rights to illegals for the explicit purpose of empowering them against ICE and immigration enforcement.’
Elections watchdog urges Senate GOP to close noncitizen voting loophole.
Introduced by Hugo Soto-Martínez and seconded by Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado—both Democratic socialists—the proposal was approved on a 10-5 vote. This is part of a larger charter reform package set to appear on the November ballot. The city clerk’s file explains the measure involves preparing documents for a November 2026 charter amendment that would enable the council to consider noncitizen voting.
During discussions, Soto-Martínez noted the disparity between a long-term noncitizen resident’s electoral influence compared to a citizen’s influence upon their recent arrival for work. He questioned why a temporary worker should hold more sway than a parent committed to the community for decades.
Senator Rick Scott of Florida shared concerns over the implications for California elections and federal voter eligibility laws. Scott emphasized that the initiative aligns with broader fears about election integrity and allegations of voting fraud.
RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree remarked on the significance of national Republican investment in California voter operations. On a recent podcast, LA GOP Chair Roxanne Hoge urged a strategic pivot from national Republicans, emphasizing the need for investment in voter registration and mobilization efforts in the state.
Elizabeth Barcohana, California GOP Jewish engagement chair, highlighted the proposal’s significance and its alignment with a statewide voter ID issue that will appear on the same ballot. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, voting against the provision, questioned the county’s readiness to implement noncitizen voting, expressing concerns about unfulfilled promises if logistics remain unaddressed.
Rodriguez cautioned against progressing without thorough review or clear implementation strategies, noting, ‘I don’t want to pretend that people are going to take away from this that this is going to be available to them, and it’s not, because it’s not been baked out.’
The Los Angeles proposal is tailored to city races and those of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, respecting federal law that prohibits noncitizen voting in federal elections.
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