The Hidden Trap in the LA Council Proposal to Let Non-Citizens Vote
Two LA City Council members just introduced a charter amendment to let non-citizens vote in city elections — mayor, City Council, school board. The problem: federal law makes every one of those votes a deportable offense, and the registry the city would have to maintain is enforcement-grade evidence ICE and DOJ already know how to subpoena. Here’s what the statutes actually say, and why this proposal — whatever its sponsors intended — functions as an opt-in deportation queue.
Sources:
• LA proposal: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la/politics/2026/05/01/la-councilmember-s-push-to-let-non-citizens-vote-in-local-elections
• Process and timeline: https://www.newstribune.com/news/2026/may/01/la-council-member-pushes-plan-to-let-noncitizens/
• 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(6): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1227
• CA Const. Art. II § 2(a) / Elec. Code § 2101: https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-elec/division-2/chapter-2/article-1/section-2101/
• CRS on general intent and good moral character: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12767
• DOJ voter-data lawsuits (29 states + DC): https://statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/2025/explainer-can-the-federal-government-force-states-to-hand-over-citizens-voter-information/
• Marissa Roy DSA questionnaire: https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/05/01/la-city-councilmember-dem-socialists-push-vote-for-illegals-another-middle-finger-to-taxpaying-citizens-n2201909
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