The Los Angeles City Council has moved forward with a proposal that may put noncitizen voting in local elections to voters in November, sparking criticism from figures like Elon Musk, GOP senators, and conservative commentators.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk expressed disapproval, stating, “They have imported voters to win.” Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also criticized the move, connecting it to the city’s opposition to federal immigration enforcement.
The LA City Council wants to give local voting rights to illegals for the explicit purpose of empowering them against ICE and immigration enforcement.
The proposal, introduced by Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez and backed by Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, passed with a 10-5 vote. The initiative is part of a broader charter reform package aimed at the November ballot.
The measure asks the city attorney to draft a charter amendment for November 2026, giving the council the power to consider noncitizen voting in municipal and school board elections.
During the debate, Soto-Martínez highlighted the disparity between long-term noncitizen residents and newly arrived citizens in terms of electoral influence.
It just does not make sense to me that someone who moves to Los Angeles for a temporary job has more of a voice than a parent who has been here for decades raising their children through public schools.
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida stated that this decision aligns with his concerns about California’s elections and federal voter eligibility legislation.
Nobody should be surprised. They’ve always wanted illegals to vote, and they want fraud. That’s why I asked the DOJ to investigate what’s going on with California’s elections.
RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree noted why national Republicans should invest more in California’s voter registration efforts, citing the move as a reason for increased focus.
Elizabeth Barcohana, California GOP Jewish engagement chair, pointed out the timing of the vote, which coincides with a statewide voter ID measure.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, opposing the provision, expressed concerns about its feasibility and the lack of consultation with Los Angeles County on implementation.
I don’t even know that the county has actually been consulted in their ability to implement such a concept.
Rodriguez cautioned against promising something without understanding if it can be implemented, highlighting potential future issues.
Federal law restricts noncitizen voting to federal elections, focusing this proposal on city and school district board races.