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Rules Committee continues noncitizen voting charter amendment after public comment
Summary
A charter amendment to allow noncitizen voting in school board elections was continued after sponsor Supervisor Feuer said he is working on amendments with the city attorney; public comment included both support from immigrant advocates and concern from groups fearing confusion or loss of community power.
Clerk read Item 3: a proposed charter amendment to permit noncitizen voting in elections for the Board of Education, conditioned on the Board of Supervisors adopting an implementing ordinance at least 270 days before that election. Supervisor Feuer (sponsor) said he is working with the city attorney to draft amendments and requested the item be continued to allow further drafting.
A large set of public commenters participated. Members of the Chinese American Democratic Club, longtime teachers, parents, and immigrant-rights advocates delivered mixed testimony: some speakers urged preserving Proposition N (which enabled noncitizen participation in other processes) and warned that adding a Board-adoption requirement could undercut community power and create confusion, while others—including teachers and immigrant advocates—argued noncitizen parents should be able to vote on school matters that affect their children. The Youth Commission and other community groups later submitted opposition in writing.
After discussion and questions, the committee agreed to continue the item to the Jan. 24 meeting for additional draft amendments and legal review. No committee vote on final language occurred.
