Voters in Santa Ana, a city in Southern California, have rejected Measure DD, which would have permitted residents who are not U.S. citizens to participate in local elections. The measure was turned down by 60% of the voters in Santa Ana, a predominantly Latino community in Orange County.
Experts suggest that the rejection of the measure may indicate a shift in attitudes towards immigration among voters, particularly within the Latino community. The trend of Latino voters becoming more conservative on immigration issues has been noted in recent polling and elections.
The measure faced strong opposition from local officials and conservative groups, who argued that it would be costly, litigious, and could potentially infringe on citizens' rights. Immigrant rights advocates, on the other hand, supported the measure, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and fairness in local governance.
The influence of former President Donald Trump, who campaigned heavily against illegal immigration, was cited as a factor in the outcome of the vote. While it is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, some communities in the U.S. have passed laws allowing noncitizens to participate in local elections, citing their contributions to the community through taxes and residency.
San Francisco, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. are among the places that have granted voting rights to noncitizens in local elections. New York City also passed a similar law in 2022, but it was later struck down by a state judge. The city is currently appealing the decision.
