San Francisco’s implementation of non-citizen voting in school board elections this November will come with a warning — federal immigration enforcement officials could obtain the voter registration information. Voters approved a ballot measure in 2016 to allow non-citizens to vote in school board elections beginning in November, but there are concerns over how the federal government could use the information as President Donald Trump has targeted California and San Francisco over sanctuary policies. San Francisco plans to issue a warning in 51 languages to non-citizens before they register, including on a Department of Elections affidavit they would need to sign to register and on the Department of Elections website.
“IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS,” the warning begins. “ Any information you provide to the Department of Elections, including your name and address, may be obtained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] and other agencies, organizations, and individuals.” The warning also notes that “if you apply for naturalization, you will be asked whether you have ever registered or voted in a federal, state, or local election in the United States.”
The warning requirement is part of legislation introduced by Supervisor Norman Yee that directs the Department of Elections on how to implement non-citizen voting. The Board of Supervisors Rules Committee approved Yee’s legislation Wednesday and the full board is expected to vote on it Tuesday.
The legislation also requires the department to provide a list of legal resources for immigration rights attorneys.
Full Article: Non-citizens voting in SF school board elections to get immigration warning – by j_sabatini – May 10, 2018 – The San Francisco Examiner.