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BumRushDaShow

(172,288 posts)
Sat May 2, 2026, 06:14 PM May 2

Amid national scrutiny, LA takes step toward noncitizen voting

Source: USA Today

Updated May 2, 2026, 11:49 a.m. ET


A Los Angeles official is looking to open up a pathway for noncitizens to vote in local elections. It’s an effort that — if it goes forward — would play out amid continued scrutiny over elections and voting security in the United States. Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez presented a motion on April 29 to begin the process of placing a measure on the November ballot.

The measure in and of itself wouldn’t immediately grant noncitizen voting if approved by Los Angelenos — city officials would still need to adopt an ordinance to establish how noncitizen voting would work, according to the councilmember’s office.

“For me, this is a simple issue of fairness,” Soto-Martínez said. “After my parents immigrated here from Mexico, they worked hard, paid taxes, raised their kids in our public schools, but for decades, they had no voice in the decisions shaping their community until they became citizens.”

While Los Angeles doesn’t have the authority to “fully halt” federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, it can “enfranchise and empower its immigrant population to participate” in city and Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member elections by reforming the city’s charter, according to the motion.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/california/2026/05/02/los-angeles-voting-rights-for-noncitizens/89881705007/

28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Amid national scrutiny, LA takes step toward noncitizen voting (Original Post) BumRushDaShow May 2 OP
Good for them!! Let the people who support your local economies have a say in local matters!! pat_k May 2 #1
So let's allow tourists to vote also. They support the economy also JI7 May 2 #5
Reductio ad Absurdum pat_k May 2 #11
And it doesn't even get into how easy it would be to exploit JI7 May 2 #12
"it doesn't"? "it would"? "exploit"? To what "it"s do you refer? pat_k May 2 #15
Weird popsdenver May 2 #19
A number of countries allow non citizen voting Gymbo May 3 #24
Great! Creating a real issue for Republicans to club us with! Grins May 2 #2
its about basic fairness, not everything has to be about the fear of what pukes might do in response Blues Heron May 2 #3
Maybe he should focus on getting people who already can vote to actually vote JI7 May 2 #4
people should have a voice where they live. Dont let fear turn our morals to shit Blues Heron May 2 #6
They can try to become citizens and then vote JI7 May 2 #7
that could take years or decades, dont kid yourself Blues Heron May 2 #8
So what ? JI7 May 2 #9
were going in circles here. Blues Heron May 2 #10
These are choices that people make. And as I said before JI7 May 2 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author jfz9580m May 3 #23
First thing to do is to think like Trump and his ilk on how to exploit this then discuss if it's viable. chowder66 May 2 #14
Yes, they already do things like this when running for office JI7 May 2 #16
Too extreme for my tastes Polybius May 2 #17
Can o' worms nt GenThePerservering May 2 #18
This deserves serious consideration. But not now. This is the kind of thing the right wing press will go crazy with and Fil1957 May 2 #20
The right to vote is fundamental to being a citizen. Intractable May 3 #21
Colorado allows some non citizens soldierant May 3 #22
We will know where ever one of trumps republianmushroom May 3 #25
Voting bromeando May 3 #26
Why now? LiberalLovinLug May 3 #27
Is this guy getting money from the far right, or is he just plain stupid? If this thing goes any further, they'll be Fil1957 May 3 #28

pat_k

(13,855 posts)
11. Reductio ad Absurdum
Sat May 2, 2026, 08:03 PM
May 2

Tourists don't pay income, employee, or other business taxes.

Tourists don't send their kids to local schools for extended periods of time. If they do, they are not tourists.

Tourists don't have meaningful business interests affected by local ordinances.

popsdenver

(2,628 posts)
19. Weird
Sat May 2, 2026, 10:01 PM
May 2

what other country allows non citizens to vote in their elections???????????????????????????????????

Do we?

And what other country gives non citizens food, health care, and housing assistance????????

Just asking, I truly don't understand...........

Anyone??????

Gymbo

(185 posts)
24. A number of countries allow non citizen voting
Sun May 3, 2026, 10:45 AM
May 3

The article doesn't address food, health care, or housing.

Which countries let non-citizens vote in polls?
While most countries restrict voting rights to citizens, there are a few that allow non-citizens to vote under certain conditions. Here are some examples of countries that permit non-citizens to vote:

1. New Zealand

• Eligibility: Non-citizens, specifically permanent residents, who have lived in New Zealand for at least one year can vote in local elections. This does not extend to national elections, which are limited to citizens.

• Local Elections: Non-citizens who meet the residency requirement can vote in local government elections, such as those for city councils or regional authorities.

2. Sweden

• Eligibility: Non-citizens from European Union (EU) countries who have been residents in Sweden for at least three years can vote in local and regional elections. Similarly, non-EU citizens who have been living in Sweden for at least three years can also vote in local elections.

• Note: Non-citizens cannot vote in national elections or referenda.

3. Finland

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are permanent residents of Finland and have lived there for at least two years can vote in municipal elections.

• Note: As with other countries, non-citizens are not allowed to vote in national elections.

4. Denmark

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are residents of Denmark and have lived there for at least three years (EU citizens) or five years (non-EU citizens) can vote in municipal and regional elections.

• Note: Non-citizens cannot vote in national parliamentary elections.

5. Iceland

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are citizens of Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) and have lived in Iceland for at least three years can vote in municipal elections. Non-citizens from other countries who have lived in Iceland for at least five years are also eligible to vote in local elections.

• Note: Voting in national elections is restricted to Icelandic citizens.

6. Ireland

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are EU citizens living in Ireland can vote in local elections and European Parliament elections, provided they meet residency requirements. Non-EU citizens can vote in local elections if they have been legally residing in Ireland for at least one year before the election.

• Note: Non-citizens cannot vote in national elections or referenda.

7. Belgium

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are citizens of the European Union and have been residing in Belgium for at least five years can vote in local elections. They can also vote in European Parliament elections.

• Note: Non-EU citizens cannot vote in national elections or referenda.

8. Luxembourg

• Eligibility: Non-EU residents who have been living in Luxembourg for at least five years can vote in local elections. Citizens of other EU countries are also eligible to vote in national elections.

• Note: Luxembourg allows non-citizens to vote in municipal elections if they have resided in the country for five years.

9. Uruguay

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who have lived in Uruguay for at least three years can vote in national elections. This is a rare case where non-citizens have the right to participate in a national election.

• Note: Non-citizens must meet certain residency requirements to be eligible.

10. Argentina

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who have been legal residents of Argentina for at least two years can vote in national elections, including presidential elections.

• Note: Only legal residents who have fulfilled the necessary residency requirements can participate in elections.

11. Chile

• Eligibility: Non-citizens who are residents of Chile and are from countries that have reciprocal agreements with Chile can vote in local elections. This includes nationals of some Latin American countries who live in Chile.

• Note: Non-citizens cannot vote in national elections.

12. Portugal

• Eligibility: Non-citizens from European Union countries who have been living in Portugal for at least five years can vote in local elections. Non-EU citizens who have lived in Portugal for at least three years can also vote in local elections.

• Note: Non-citizens are excluded from national elections.

13. Brazil

• Eligibility: Foreigners who have lived in Brazil for at least 15 years and meet other conditions may vote in municipal elections. Non-citizens cannot vote in national elections.

• Note: The ability to vote depends on the specific laws governing each municipality.

Conclusion:

While the majority of countries limit voting rights to citizens, several allow non-citizens to participate in local or regional elections. The most common exceptions are for residents from other EU countries or long-term residents from specific countries with reciprocal agreements. Most non-citizens are excluded from voting in national elections, but local elections offer a key opportunity for foreign residents to have a voice in governance.

https://visaliv.com/forum/main-forum/what-countries-allow-non-citizens-to-vote-in-their-elections

Grins

(9,523 posts)
2. Great! Creating a real issue for Republicans to club us with!
Sat May 2, 2026, 06:48 PM
May 2

Promoting this is as stupid as “Defund the Police!”

Blues Heron

(9,035 posts)
3. its about basic fairness, not everything has to be about the fear of what pukes might do in response
Sat May 2, 2026, 06:54 PM
May 2

JI7

(93,906 posts)
4. Maybe he should focus on getting people who already can vote to actually vote
Sat May 2, 2026, 06:57 PM
May 2

this is just something so unnecessary and the type of shit that hurts us nationally.

JI7

(93,906 posts)
13. These are choices that people make. And as I said before
Sat May 2, 2026, 08:29 PM
May 2

if it's so important than work on increasing voter turnout of people that can already vote.

And then there will be thec issue of money in politics.

Response to JI7 (Reply #4)

chowder66

(12,514 posts)
14. First thing to do is to think like Trump and his ilk on how to exploit this then discuss if it's viable.
Sat May 2, 2026, 08:43 PM
May 2

Fil1957

(877 posts)
20. This deserves serious consideration. But not now. This is the kind of thing the right wing press will go crazy with and
Sat May 2, 2026, 10:28 PM
May 2

crucify the Democrats with. This feeds into the alt-right myth that the left wants illegal immigration so the immigrants will vote for Democrats.

Doesn't Soto-Martínez read the national news? Doesn't he understand the gravity of this historical moment for our nation, and that by doing this he is giving the right fodder that reinforces their myth that the left is "anti-American"?

If he thinks this will be ignored by the right, he is sorely mistaken. This proposal is all we're going to hear about from now until November.

Intractable

(2,390 posts)
21. The right to vote is fundamental to being a citizen.
Sun May 3, 2026, 12:27 AM
May 3

Why bother becoming one if the rights and privileges can be conferred without that status?

soldierant

(9,372 posts)
22. Colorado allows some non citizens
Sun May 3, 2026, 01:55 AM
May 3

to vote in some elections, but not in municipal, county, state, or federal ones.

We have a lot of land here which is not covered by city or even county services such as firefighters or water, possibly even utilities (I'm not sure of that.) People who live in those areas, or just own property in them, may form special districts to provide those services and authorize them to collect taxes to provide them. (And once formed, any change in tax rates must do to a vote by the property owners.) Any property owner or co owner in those areas may vote in those election, whether citizen or non-citizen, green card, refugee, TPS, or whatever. If your name is on the deed or the mortgage, you can vote. No taxation without representation.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,757 posts)
27. Why now?
Sun May 3, 2026, 04:03 PM
May 3

Between that and condoning child sex change operations, we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

Fil1957

(877 posts)
28. Is this guy getting money from the far right, or is he just plain stupid? If this thing goes any further, they'll be
Sun May 3, 2026, 05:35 PM
May 3

dancing in the Fox studios and torturing us with this like they did with the trans issue in '24. That's the kind of B.S. the right wing media know how to do and do well.

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