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Board advances ordinance implementing Proposition N; noncitizens can be warned of risks before registering to vote in school board races
Summary
On first reading the supervisors approved an ordinance to implement Proposition N, which allows certain non-U.S. citizens to register to vote in San Francisco school board elections and requires the elections department to give notice about possible risks and to provide resources to voters.
The Board of Supervisors on May 15 approved on first reading an ordinance implementing Proposition N (adopted by voters in November 2016) that enables noncitizen parents to register to vote in San Francisco Unified School District elections.
Supervisor Yee, sponsor of the ordinance, said noncitizen parents make up roughly a third of the district’s families and the measure responds to community requests to give those parents a voice in school governance. "Without this ordinance, the department won't have any guidance to execute this law," Yee told the board.
Deputy City Attorney John Givner told the board that, under California state law, lists of registered voters and voter participation data are available to government agencies and the press upon request within legal limits. Givner said the ordinance builds in notice requirements so noncitizen applicants are informed that their registration information may not be entirely confidential and directs the city to provide contact information for organizations that can advise potential registrants about risks.
Supervisor Cohen asked about protections against federal access to identifying information. In reply, supervisors and the deputy city attorney said the ordinance emphasizes notice and counseling, but cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality under state law. "This gives them an opportunity to think about whether they want to pursue it or not," Supervisor Yi said.
The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously. Sponsors said the goal is to ensure eligible parents make informed decisions, and to provide language-appropriate outreach across the city so families can weigh benefits and risks before registering.
