Overview
- The City Council voted 10–5 on Wednesday to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that would permit the city to consider noncitizen voting.
- If voters approve the amendment the council could then pass ordinances to allow specified noncitizen groups such as DACA, TPS and lawful permanent residents to vote in citywide and school board contests.
- City officials say no implementation plan exists now and that Los Angeles likely would need to design new election systems because Los Angeles County currently runs city elections, raising questions about separate rolls, ballot delivery and added costs.
- California law ties voter registration to citizenship but some cities have limited noncitizen voting for school races, so legal challenges are widely expected if Los Angeles adopts a broader program.
- The City Attorney must draft final ballot language and the council must approve it before the question appears on the ballot, and the measure has already provoked a sharp partisan split and promises of vigorous campaigns on both sides.