In the days leading up to last week’s election, signs posted around Santa Ana showed a community divided over whether residents who are not citizens should be allowed to vote in local races.
“Strengthen Our Democracy,” read lawn signs, in English and Spanish, supporting Measure DD.
“Defend citizen’s rights,” said opposition banners hanging on fences throughout the city.
Casting his vote at the Orange County Registrar of Voters, Juan Molina said that although he has no prejudice against undocumented people, he believes voting rights should be reserved for citizens.
That perspective won out in the end, with 60% of voters rejecting the measure that would have been the first in Southern California to give voting rights to non-citizens.