Ana Cruz was 13 when she arrived to the U.S. from Mexico with her family. But after 23 years of living in Los Angeles, raising two children and working as a community organizer, she has never been able to vote in any elections because of her status as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient, which doesn\u2019t offer a pathway to citizenship. <\/p>\n
She\u2019s now among those backing a proposal from Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Mart\u00ednez that would allow noncitizens to cast ballots in city and Los Angeles Unified School District elections. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it will be the first time I will have a chance to vote and help decide who represents me,\u201d Cruz said during a press conference in support of the measure at City Hall Tuesday. \u201cWithout a doubt, this strengthens our democracy.\u201d <\/p>\n
Soto-Mart\u00ednez is seeking council support to include the measure in a package of City Charter reforms that will go to voters for approval in the Nov. 3 general election. The council is scheduled to discuss this and other proposed charter changes Friday. <\/p>\n
The expanded voting eligibility would only apply to Los Angeles city and Los Angeles Unified School District elections, and not county, state or federal contests. <\/p>\n
Other cities and states, including Maryland, Vermont and San Francisco, have adopted similar measures. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have spent many years here, and in many cases, decades, contributing to the city of Los Angeles,\u201d Soto-Martinez said. \u201cThis is about local representation and local democracy.\u201d <\/p>\n
The proposal has already faced push back. <\/p>\n
Ira Mehlman, spokesperson for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said Tuesday that noncitizens who pay taxes benefit from public services, and temporary status serves as a probationary period until people take an oath to become citizens. <\/p>\n
\u201cCitizenship does mean something. It means you are a fully participating member of society,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem unreasonable to say you\u2019ve got to do some time here and demonstrate that you\u2019re somebody that we want as a citizen.\u201d <\/p>\n
If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the City Council would then need to pass an ordinance creating a residential voting program and establishing eligibility requirements. <\/p>\n
While those requirements have yet to be determined, advocates have discussed possible options might include extending voting to lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, DACA recipients, and others who live, work and pay taxes in Los Angeles, according to the councilmember\u2019s office.<\/p>\n