Immigrants Seek Vote in School Elections

City officials are reviewing a proposed ballot initiative that would allow immigrants whose children attend public schools the right to vote in school board elections.

“We want to have the right to choose because this affects our daily lives,” said permanent resident Miguel Perez, whose daughter attends a local elementary school.

Almost one-fifth of all voting-age Californians are noncitizens.

“You can’t have a growing number of residents in your jurisdictions that are not part of the body politic. You want to have everyone inside the tent,” said Joaquin Avila, a voting-rights expert and law professor at UCLA.