Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate

The Brief

The most important stories for you to know today
  • The L.A. Report
    Listen • 9:30
    Dodgers tie up World Series, LAX closes Terminal 5, Your first Halloween — Sunday Edition
Jump to a story
  • Civics & Democracy
    Measure DD early results
    Early polls show voters reject Santa Ana measure
    By  Yusra Farzan
    Published November 6, 2024 11:10 AM

    Share This
    A female presenting speaker holds up a sign reading "Universal Suffrage" while another a person holds up two signs that read "Democracia Para Todxs" and "Universal Suffrage."
    Two female presenting people speak and hold up signs during public comment at a Santa Ana city council meeting.
    (
    Courtesy of Carlos Perea
    )

    Voters in Santa Ana are overwhelmingly rejecting Measure DD, which would have granted non-US citizens the right to vote in city elections.

    Where it stands: With half of returned ballots counted, 62% of voters have rejected the measure. A simple majority is needed for the Measure DD to pass.

    Why it matters: If the measure passes, Santa Ana will become the first city in California to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in its municipal elections. Voters in San Francisco and Oakland passed measures allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in school board elections, although Oakland has yet to implement it.

    There are around 80,000 undocumented residents in Santa Ana, according to the most recent census report, 60,000 of whom are potential voters.

    Political science experts previously told LAist that if Measure DD passes, it would offer a blueprint for other cities to follow.

    Voters in Santa Ana are overwhelmingly rejecting Measure DD, which would have granted non-U.S. citizens the right to vote in city elections.

    With over half of returned ballots counted, 62% of voters had rejected the measure. A simple majority is needed for the ballot measure to pass.

    If the measure passes, Santa Ana will become the first city in California to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in its municipal elections. Voters in San Francisco and Oakland passed measures allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in school board elections, although Oakland has yet to implement it.

    There are around 80,000 undocumented residents in Santa Ana per the most recent census report, 60,000 of whom are potential voters.

    Political science experts previously told LAist that if Measure DD passes, it would offer a blueprint for other cities to follow.

    Follow Prop. 50 as it heads to the ballot

    Insights straight from our newsroom. Our limited-run newsletter Make It Make Sense will explain who's funding the measure, how the ballot count is tracking and what the results mean for your community.

    Proponents of the measure said non-U.S. citizens in the city contribute to the local economy, raise children and live in the city and therefore should have a say in how things are run.

    Activist James Lacy, who filed a lawsuit against the city for language used in the ballot measure, said in a statement Wednesday, "Our campaign has now set the trend against noncitizen voting and discovered the keys to future victories in similar ballot measures across California and beyond.”

    The Santa Ana Families for Fair Elections, a coalition of residents and organizations supporting the measure, released a statement on Wednesday, saying they are "heartened" by the people who voted in support of the measure.

    "[O]ur movement has grown larger and stronger than ever," they wrote.

    Did LAist help you vote? Member support made these voter guides possible.

    Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives. And we don’t stop there, even after results are in, you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities.

    Even after the last ballot is cast, LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you. But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important.

    We cannot do this essential work without your help. We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

    At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater, many newsrooms are facing cutbacks, including LAist. Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California.

    LAist’s mission is to be here for you, so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting. Step up right now and make the choice to give. Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice. It's a choice with consequences. If readers do not choose to step up and donate, the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong.

    No matter what happens in the world, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust.

    Thank you for your generous support.

    Sincerely,

    Chip in now to fund your local journalism
    A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
    (
    LAist
    )

    What questions do you have about this election?
    You ask, and we'll answer: Whether it's about how to interpret the results or track your ballot, we're here to help you understand the 2024 general election on Nov. 5.

Loading...