When he was in second grade, Alexis Jaimes asked his undocumented parents who they would be voting for in the upcoming elections.

“They said they couldn’t, and I found that so strange,” Jaimes, now a 30-year-old teacher, told Truthout. “Why can’t they, but others could?”

Voting rights confer dignity, social standing, and political education upon those who hold them, and this reasoning applies to noncitizens as well. Like citizens, noncitizen residents have a vested interest in local governance, are subject to laws, contribute to the workforce, pay taxes, and some even serve in the military. 

It’s illegal for people who are not U.S. citizens to vote for president or other federal offices, and there is no indication of widespread voter fraud.

But a growing number of communities across the United States are passing laws allowing residents who aren’t U.S. citizens to vote in local elections such as city council and mayoral races. Supporters say it’s only fair since they live in the communities and pay taxes.

Sin embargo, un creciente número de comunidades de todo Estados Unidos están aprobando leyes que permiten a los residentes legales que no tienen la nacionalidad estadounidense votar en elecciones locales como las de consejos municipales y alcaldías. Los partidarios dicen que es justo ya que viven en las comunidades y pagan impuestos.

Miguel Quin, a Mexican immigrant without legal status who came to the U.S. when he was 5, said that as a longtime resident of Santa Ana, he would like to have his voice heard.

“I've been working two jobs for most of my life,” said Quin. “We all pay taxes. We all contribute to the city.”