Santa Ana Voters Reject Noncitizen Voting Measure in Elections

Santa Ana Voters Reject Noncitizen Voting Measure in Elections \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Santa Ana voters decisively rejected Measure DD, which would have granted noncitizens the right to vote in local elections. The proposal’s defeat signals a potential shift among Latino voters on immigration and voting rights. While other U.S. cities have introduced similar measures, Santa Ana’s outcome reflects opposition among residents to expanding voting rights to noncitizens.

Santa Ana Noncitizen Voting Measure DD Quick Looks

• Voter Decision: Measure DD, which proposed local voting rights for noncitizens, was defeated by 60% of Santa Ana voters.
• Changing Voter Attitudes: Experts note an apparent shift in the Latino community’s stance on immigration issues.
• Local Opposition: Officials and conservative groups argued the measure would increase costs and complicate local elections.
• Context of National Trend: Some U.S. cities, including San Francisco and parts of Maryland, allow noncitizen voting in local matters.
• Trump Influence: Former President Trump’s 2024 campaign against illegal immigration may have influenced the measure’s rejection.

Deep Look

In a significant decision reflecting shifting political sentiments, voters in Santa Ana, California, rejected Measure DD, a proposal that sought to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in city elections. Sixty percent of voters opposed the measure, which would have enabled noncitizens to participate in mayoral and city council elections. This outcome marks a notable moment for the city, with political experts suggesting it reflects broader trends in California and across the nation.

Santa Ana, a city of about 310,000 in Orange County, is known for its predominantly Latino population and typically liberal-leaning voting base. Located just southeast of Los Angeles, Santa Ana had previously supported candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris, indicating strong Democratic leanings. However, the defeat of Measure DD suggests that even within liberal-leaning communities, attitudes toward immigration and voting rights for noncitizens may be evolving.

Some experts see this as part of a shift in the Latino community’s stance on immigration policy. Jon Gould, dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, remarked that Measure DD’s rejection aligns with “trends we’ve been seeing of the Latino community becoming more conservative on issues of immigration.” Gould noted that while Latino voters may still lean Democratic, issues around immigration policy, particularly in relation to voting rights, may be taking on a more conservative tilt.

Measure DD faced considerable opposition from local officials and conservative organizations, including the Policy Issues Institute, which argued that granting voting rights to noncitizens could create logistical and financial burdens for the city. These groups contended that the measure would complicate local elections and potentially undermine citizens’ rights, voicing concerns over potential administrative costs and legal challenges. Carlos Perea, executive director of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice, who supported the measure, argued that opponents “hit the panic button,” mounting a strong campaign against the measure.

The result in Santa Ana echoes sentiments seen in other parts of the U.S., where noncitizen voting measures have been introduced and met with mixed responses. In 2016, San Francisco passed Proposition N, allowing noncitizens with children in the public school system to vote in school board elections. However, San Francisco’s journey toward noncitizen voting wasn’t without hurdles: voters rejected similar measures in 2004 and 2010. Proposition N eventually passed, showing gradual voter support for specific, limited noncitizen voting rights.

Other states have allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections, though each city or town has implemented its own rules. For instance, in Maryland and Vermont, certain municipalities allow noncitizens to vote in local matters, such as city council or school board elections. Washington, D.C., also recently passed a measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, though it faced legal challenges. New York City followed suit in 2022 by approving a similar law for noncitizen residents, but the law was struck down by a state judge just months later and has yet to go into effect. The city government is currently appealing the decision.

Supporters of noncitizen voting argue that these residents, who live and work in the community and pay taxes, should have a say in local issues that affect their daily lives. Many proponents believe that limited voting rights for noncitizens—particularly for issues like school board decisions—align with basic democratic principles by allowing residents to voice concerns over local governance. Perea and other proponents of Measure DD argue that it would be fair for noncitizens to vote on issues that directly impact them, particularly when they contribute to the local economy and pay taxes.

However, the topic remains controversial. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, such as those for president or Congress. Despite a lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud by noncitizens, some Republican leaders argue that even localized voting rights for noncitizens pose a risk to the integrity of elections. Former President Donald Trump has used noncitizen voting as a campaign issue, often focusing on voter integrity and election security. Trump’s messaging on immigration and voting rights was a central theme of his 2024 campaign, which emphasized protecting “the sanctity of the vote.” This anti-immigration stance may have influenced the Santa Ana electorate.

The outcome in Santa Ana signals that Latino voters may be recalibrating their views on immigration policies, and the rejection of Measure DD is a clear reflection of these complex dynamics. Some political analysts suggest that the Latino community, while diverse in its views, may increasingly favor a cautious approach to expanding immigrant rights, particularly as national debates around immigration intensify.

The results of Measure DD in Santa Ana may also be indicative of wider concerns around voter rights and the evolving political landscape. With immigration remaining a hot-button issue, debates about whether noncitizens should have a say in local governance are likely to continue. As a historically immigrant-rich state, California may see more of these measures introduced in the coming years, each one testing the balance between civic engagement for noncitizens and the principle of citizenship-based voting rights.

While Santa Ana’s decision marks a setback for proponents of noncitizen voting rights, it may provide a glimpse into broader Latino voting patterns, especially in urban areas facing immigration-related pressures. This shift could play a crucial role in shaping future elections and policy decisions, as Latino voters emerge as one of the nation’s most influential demographic groups. For now, the outcome in Santa Ana underscores a more cautious approach toward expanding voting rights and a potential trend toward conservatism within traditionally progressive communities on this issue.

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