Santa Ana voters have defeated a measure that would have granted voting rights to noncitizens in local elections. Measure DD was rejected by 60% of voters in the Orange County city, raising questions about the evolving political views of its predominantly Latino population.
The measure, which aimed to allow noncitizens to vote in city elections, faced vocal opposition from conservative groups and local officials. Critics argued the proposal would erode the rights of U.S. citizens and create unnecessary legal challenges.
Only 1-in-3 California city’s citizens voted to let illegal immigrants vote https://t.co/V8SDAZAFOR
— Peter Paul (@theperfect49577) November 12, 2024
Jon Gould, a dean at the University of California, Irvine, said the results reflect shifting attitudes among Latino voters. “We’ve been observing Latino voters becoming more conservative on immigration issues, and this is consistent with that trend,” he said.
Proponents of Measure DD, including immigrant rights advocate Carlos Perea, expressed disappointment. “The opposition hit the panic button,” said Perea, adding that President Donald Trump’s immigration-focused campaign likely influenced the outcome.
AP: “Voters in a Southern California city rejected a measure that would have allowed residents who aren’t U.S. citizens to vote in local elections.
Ballot Measure DD would have made “70,000 non-citizens eligible to vote. The measure was rejected by 60% of the voters in Santa… https://t.co/cSFV1GVVVa pic.twitter.com/ah6IstjFcP
— Olivia P. Walker (@olivia_p_walker) November 12, 2024
Why do we want voters to vote yes on Measure DD and LL? Because we believe in power to the people, not political maneuvering. It is time for independent individuals to draw our city maps that are representative of OUR needs. Vote YES on Measure DD and LL to make your voice heard! pic.twitter.com/c6MWZoENQl
— Catalyst California (@CatalystCali) November 5, 2024
Santa Ana joins other cities that have debated allowing noncitizens to vote, a concept that supporters argue is fair for tax-paying residents. However, similar measures have faced legal and political roadblocks in cities like New York and San Francisco.
Vote YES on Santa Ana’s Measure DD this November! 🗳️ Let’s empower non-citizen residents to vote in local elections and give them a voice in their city’s future.
Pledge to vote today: https://t.co/6YR7LGy11r
#MeasureDD #VoteYES #SantaAnaVotes pic.twitter.com/yB1ry2p9vZ
— California Immigrant Policy Center (@CALimmigrant) October 25, 2024
There are literally ballot measures in multiple counties in this election that if passed will give non citizens (anyone with an address in the county) the right to vote in local elections. Look up ballot measure DD in Santa Ana, California. This is happing.
— Lou from Southie (@SemiConductHer) October 29, 2024
The defeat of Measure DD highlights the complexities of immigration politics in Latino-majority areas, showing that issues around citizenship and voting remain deeply divisive.
Santa Ana has a majority latino population and they rejected the right for immigrants to vote. California aint as liberal as yall think it is. https://t.co/afvkZJP4Ww
— Dwann B 🇺🇸 (@dwannb) November 11, 2024
