Ballot measure to expand school board voting to noncitizens gets OK

Oakland voters will decide in November whether some noncitizens can vote in school board elections.

The Oakland City Council voted to send a measure to the Nov. 8 ballot that would expand voting rights to noncitizen parents, guardians and caregivers of students in the school district if it is passed.

The measure, proposed by Oakland Council members Dan Kalb and Treva Reid, would give noncitizen parents, legal guardians and legally recognized caregivers of children enrolled in Oakland Unified schools the ability to vote in the district's school board elections.

“Noncitizen parents are already doing the hard work to try to ensure that their children each get a good education. Many are already volunteering at their children's schools. But what we're hearing overwhelmingly is that these parents often don't feel heard,” Kalb said at Tuesday's council meeting.

“This measure to allow noncitizen parents to vote will allow us to ensure that these parents are heard and that their children's needs are better met as a result. All parents of school-age children should be able to help decide who runs the school system,” he continued.

Oakland, one of the most diverse cities in America, is home to 230,000 people of voting age, of which at least 13,000 are noncitizens, according to the 2020 census. Many of those noncitizens are parents of students in Oakland Unified schools and pay taxes, contribute to the local economy and are invested in the school district, according to the staff report.

“This Non-Citizen Voting Measure will ensure families — including many immigrants and refugees from Africa, Asia and South America — with over 17,000 students are seen and heard at the voting polls to improve academic outcomes for all students within Oakland Unified School District,” Reid said.

“It is our responsibility to promote pathways to provide increased quality resources, educator and family support, and mental health services that will advance equitable academic and life outcomes for all students to thrive,” she added.

San Francisco has permitted noncitizen parents and guardians to vote in school board elections since 2016. San Jose is studying the idea of allowing noncitizens a voice in local elections.

“Noncitizens were able to vote in this country from 1776 to 1926. Undocumented citizens in California contribute $3.2 billion every year in the form of taxes, which amounts to taxation without representation,” said Cesar Cruz, founder of the East Oakland community organization Homies Empowerment, which backs the measure.

“It is critical that every parent regardless of legal status be allowed to vote as it creates a more engaged community here in Oakland and ultimately it betters our society. Putting this initiative on the ballot is crucial and passing it means we take one step forward in the quest for equal access for all,” Cruz said.