Election Day is rapidly approaching, bringing with it the possibility that one Orange County city will soon allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.
Measure DD, which is on the Nov. 5 ballot in Santa Ana, would allow “noncitizen City residents to vote in all City of Santa Ana municipal elections” beginning in November 2028, the city says on its website .
Proponents of the measure say about a quarter of the city’s residents currently can’t vote due to their immigration status, though they still pay taxes, own property and have businesses in the city.
“They should be able to vote for the city officials who make decisions impacting their daily lives,” supporters wrote.
Critics, however, claim the idea is “well-intended” but could “spiral into unforeseen consequences,” including financial impacts to the city that they estimate to be about $10 million.
“If enacted, this measure will lead to budget deficits, lawsuits, and endless litigation that will burden future councils,” an opponent wrote.