Laserfiche WebLink
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-075 <br />A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF <br />SANTA ANA CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A <br />GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024 FOR THE <br />SUBMISSION OF A BALLOT MEASURE TO THE <br />QUALIFIED VOTERS ASKING IF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA <br />SHOULD PERMIT NONCITIZEN VOTING IN ALL CITY <br />MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS <br />WHEREAS, noncitizen residents make up 24 percent of Santa Ana's total <br />population and about 30 percent of its voting -age population; and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges the importance of the immigrant <br />community to the city of Santa Ana and recognizes their right to have their voices heard <br />in local decision -making that directly affects their lives; and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council believes that giving immigrants a voice in local <br />elections will encourage greater interest and investment in local issues, ultimately <br />benefiting the entire community; and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council previously enacted an ordinance making Santa Ana, <br />a sanctuary city, to recognize the contributions of its diverse, immigrant population and to <br />ensure they feel safe interacting with local government officials; and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council has implemented initiatives such as the Immigrant <br />Legal Defense Fund which allocates funding forthe legal defense of Santa Ana immigrant <br />residents who face detention and deportation; and <br />WHEREAS, a growing multiracial and multigenerational coalition of Santa Ana <br />residents and community -based organizations have come together with the shared belief <br />that all residents, regardless of citizenship status should have an equal say in the City's <br />municipal elections; and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council previously enacted an ordinance amending, it's <br />municipal code to permit qualified immigrant residents to serve on City Boards, <br />Commissions and Committees; and <br />WHEREAS, currently tens of thousands of noncitizen residents and mixed status <br />families pay taxes yet are disenfranchised, and do not believe they have representation <br />in key decisions that impact their lives; and <br />WHEREAS, local governments across the United States allow non -citizen <br />residents to vote in local elections; and <br />Resolution No. 2023-075 <br />Page 1 of 5 <br />