Correspondence - #39 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Alcala, Abigail From: Helen Yajaira Estrada < Sent: Friday, November 3, 2023 7:12 PM To: eComment Subject: Public Comment for Agenda Item #39: In Support of Noncitizen Voting Good evening City Councilmembers, My name is Helen Yajaira Estrada, and I'm a proud Santanera, a resident of Ward 6, and someone engaged with several community organizations. I am in support of Agenda Item 439. Firstly, I would like to thank city staff for their work drafting the resolution and ballot measure language. These are important first steps to ensuring that all residents are able to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Nearly one out of every four residents living in the city are non -citizens who have been politically excluded from voting despite being impacted by the decisions made by the municipal government. All residents of voting age, regardless of immigration status, should be able to participate in local elections. The Council should lead with courage and hope, not fear. Currently, as far as public knowledge goes, no one has been denied citizenship because they voted in San Francisco's school board election. The San Francisco Department of Elections has never received a request from ICE for voter information since its expansion of voter rights. In San Francisco, election officials, local community members, and advocates have worked together to keep the community safe. We can definitely work together to do the same thing here. Expanding the vote opens up a key tool for local residents to participate in local politics, fostering civic engagement in and outside of elections. When community members have more avenues to be engaged, they are able to better advocate for improved and equitable distribution of resources to meet community needs. My parents and /neighbors should have the right to vote, just as I do. They live in our community and contribute to it. They are affected by the actions of our local governments. It is unfair to bar them from providing their input through voting on these issues. I am a daughter of two undocumented Santaneros who originate from Guatemala, I have seen how engaged my family has been with Santa Ana. Whether it is taking us to the Public Library on Civic Center in order to enhance our education and reading skills, or seeing my dad work at the local donut shop for 14 years. My parents, like many in my community, are engaged in -person, online, and talk to each other about the changes they wish to see. I will be the first to ever vote next year in the Presidential and local elections. A real democracy involves ALL of us. I urge the Council to amend the current draft resolution language to further align with the spirit and principles of the original proposal made by Councilmembers Hernandez and Lopez and supported by community members. Again, I support Agenda Item 439. Thank you. Thank you, Helen Yajaira Estrada