Overview
- The City Council voted 10-5 Wednesday to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that would allow the council to authorize noncitizen residents to vote in Los Angeles city and LAUSD elections.
- The City Attorney has been directed to draft the exact ballot language and that draft must return to the council for approval before the measure is formally placed before voters.
- City officials and opponents warned there is no current operational framework for noncitizen voting and that Los Angeles County, which runs city elections, may not be equipped to administer the program so the city might need to assume election administration.
- Councilmembers split sharply over the move with sponsor Hugo Soto-Martínez arguing it gives long-term residents a voice while opponents raised concerns about cost, eligibility rules, the creation of new voter lists and potential legal exposure.
- Advocates note roughly 1.3–1.4 million noncitizen residents live in the city (about 36 percent of the population), and if voters approve the charter change the council would then have to pass ordinances, resolve eligibility and ballot‑security rules, and prepare for likely legal challenges.