Letters from the Public - 1 of 4 — San Jose City Council, August 23, 2022

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This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources Fwd: Initiative to allow non-citizens to vote
Diana Loop <
Tue 5/10/2022 9:45 AM
Cc: City Clerk <
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Begin forwarded message:

From: Diana Loop <
Subject: Initiative to allow non-citizens to vote
Date: May 10, 2022 at 9:40:00 AM PDT
To:

Ms. Esparza,
I can’t believe that you would be a part of something so un-American as to let people that are not citizens of the United States vote. Should we let Russians vote? Should we let Chinese Communists vote? What is wrong with your thinking? All countries are represented in the illegal people in this country. They are not all victims and do not know our laws, nor do they all have our love of this country. I will never contribute or vote for any of you if you pass this stupid initiative!!! San Jose Resident

Do not vote yes on allowing noncitizens to vote.

Kevin <
Sat 5/7/2022 8:15 AM
To: Agendadesk < Jones, Chappie <
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I can’t believe you guys are possibly considering allowing noncitizens to vote this is atrocious.

You guys are trying to say we don’t have a country anymore you shouldn’t even be elected to office and you should renounce your position because you obviously have not upheld your oath to the Constitution of the United States.

Kevin DeBella San Jose California
4th generation San Josen
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This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources Non citizens able to vote
Richard Pottenger <
Sat 5/7/2022 11:01 AM
To: City Clerk <
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I am a registered resident US citizen in San Jose and DO NOT want any regulation or order to be passed by the city or county that would allow non citizens to vote. Thank you for listening and recording my email.

Sincerely
Richard Pottenger

Addressing the city councils initiative to allow noncitizens, legal or otherwise to vote in the municipal elections
Lavonne <
Fri 5/6/2022 12:02 PM
To: City Clerk <
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Dear City Clerk,
>
> The citizens of the United States have the privilege of voting. Noncitizens legal or otherwise do not have this privilege.
> I wish to register my Sincere disappointment that we would even consider allowing a non-citizen or illegal to vote in the municipal elections!
> Stop the initiative.
> I am a resident of San Jose.
> My address is
> LaVonne Carrick
>
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Non citizens booting
Magda Januszkiewicz <
Tue 5/10/2022 5:58 AM
To: City Clerk <
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Hello;
Please don’t pass the bill letting none citizens to vote. Voting in USA always allows only US citizens to vote and this should remain indefinitely.

Thank you for your consideration.

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2. Queremos la Expansión de los derechos de voto para todos sea una boleta oficial independiente e incluya lo siguiente:

0. Permitir que todos los residentes (documentados, DACA, titulares de Green Card, visa temporal e indocumentados) voten en las elecciones de la ciudad, incluidos los miembros del consejo, boletas, el alcalde y todos los concejales.

1. No al tiempo de espera para las elecciones. No deberíamos tener que esperar para registrarse para votar.

2.Crear proceso de protección para las comunidades indocumentadas durante el proceso de registro;

3. Debe ser parte de las elecciones de noviembre de 2022 This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.

Non-citizens should not be allowed to vote in elections Teresa Lesieutre <
Tue 5/10/2022 9:06 PM
To: City Clerk <
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Hello,
Non-citizens SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED to vote in elections.

Requirements: He/she must be a US citizen, registered to vote, and be 18 years old. VALID ID MUST BE SHOWN WHEN VOTING!
Thank you, Teresa Lesieutre
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You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important FW: SJ council on deciding whether non-citizens vote, read before May 17th City Clerk <[email protected]>
Wed 5/11/2022 11:32 AM
To: Agendadesk <[email protected]>

From: TinaUSAITA <
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 11:27 AM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: SJ council on deciding whether non-cizens vote, read before May 17th

Dear City Clerk of SJ,

May I ask a sincere and serious queson?
Would you be ok for me to come into your home, make decisions on how to run your household, take from your home, proﬁt oﬀ of your living expenses and hang out at your place for my pleasure?

You pay your taxes, ulity bills, decorate to your style and like how everything runs to your liking. Then I come to knock on your door to tell you what I want, what I need and how you must change to suit me and pay for it.

Are you cool with that set up?
If not, that’s great. Because neither am I.

That’s what it’s like on a personal level when YOU allow NON registered cizens to vote for REGISTERED cizens and allow them to make decisions on HOW I live in my home, my town, my city, and my state where I AM a RESPONSIBLE REGISTERED cizen paying outrageous taxes upon taxes, services and all! They TOO, CAN easily REGISTER and become LEGAL cizens as did my IMMIGRANT parents and husband! Anyone who wants to make decisions on policies, taxes, laws, my life, etc… must be a REGISTERED cizen to UNDERSTAND what it takes through the experience of BEING a REGISTERED cizen. They must ﬁrst walk in my shoes!

For those who do not want to become REGISTERED cizens, ask yourself: Why? What are they hiding? Why don’t they want to contribute? It’s no shame to be a non-cizen AS LONG AS they then take the process to becoming a cizen. It’s NEVER ok to mooch/take/abuse anyone for anything. I work hard for what I want with what lile is le aer paying taxes. They can work too as they become registered cizens. To become a cizen is to show responsibility, ownership, accountability and contribute to society by HELPING to PAY for services, instead of constantly dipping into the pot of money, aka ‘registered cizen taxpayers money’.

Is that what you want? Because if that’s what you want, then you have NO PLACE in remaining in your posion to tell us REGISTERED cizens on how to funcon and live. Don’t allow illegal, non-cizens to vote for those who CHOSE to do the right thing and contribute to society instead of taking.

Anyone who wants to drive, must be a REGISTERED cizen.

Anyone who wants to vote, must be a REGISTERED cizen.

Anyone who wants to go in polics, must be a REGISTERED cizen.

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Anyone who wants to go in medical, must be a REGISTERED cizen.

All equals a Responsible and Accountable adult who is choosing to contribute to society!

Would you take medical advice from a non-registered doctor? Regards,

Valentina
"Happiness and peace is when your actions, words and thoughts are in line with serving others with a heart of gratitude and love"

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0. Allow all residents (documented, DACA, Green Card holders, Temp Visa, and undocumented) to vote in city elections including council members, ballots, mayor, all positions.

1. No waiting time for elections. We should not have to wait to register to vote.

2. Create protections process for undocumented communities during the registration process; 3. Must be part of the November 2022 election

Exigimos lo siguiente:

1. ¡Alto el retraso! El Comité de Reglas debe priorizar la sesión de estudio en mayo para que la boleta de medidas cumpla con el plazo.

2. Queremos la Expansión de los derechos de voto para todos sea una boleta oficial independiente e incluya lo siguiente:

1. No al tiempo de espera para las elecciones. No deberíamos tener que esperar para registrarse para votar.

2.Crear proceso de protección para las comunidades indocumentadas durante el proceso de registro; 3. Debe ser parte de las elecciones de noviembre de 2022

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indocumentados) voten en las elecciones de la ciudad, incluidos los miembros del consejo, boletas, el alcalde y todos los concejales.

1. No al tiempo de espera para las elecciones. No deberíamos tener que esperar para registrarse para votar.

2.Crear proceso de protección para las comunidades indocumentadas durante el proceso de registro;

3. Debe ser parte de las elecciones de noviembre de 2022 Dilza Gonzalez
Resident and taxpayer of San José Ca
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Fw: Stop the delay!
City Clerk <
Fri 5/13/2022 9:36 AM
To: Agendadesk <
Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Main: 408-535-1260
Fax: 408-292-6207
How is our service? Please take our short survey.

From: Lizeth Salas Gomez <
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2022 9:32 AM
To: <
<
<
<
< District1 <
District2 < District3 < District4 < District5
< District 6 < District7 < District8
< District9 < District 10 <
Cc: Dilza Gonzalez < Arturo Muñoz < City Clerk
< Taber, Toni <
Subject: Stop the delay!

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Dear decision-maker,

On January 11th 2022 over 55 social jusce organizaons signed full support of expanding the vong rights to all San José residents. Despite having over 200 San Jose residents and organizaons speaking up in support of expanding vong rights and city council taking a historic 10-1 vote to move forward with the Vong Rights Memo, WE ARE NOW SEEING A DELAY IN THE PROCESS by the Rules Commiee who voted as a potenal tacc to stop the possibility of moving Vong Rights for All as a ballot measure this year. In this process, we are seeing yet again San Jose aempt to silence our voices. We say stop the delay and priorize the study session now!

We demand the following:

1. Stop the Delay! The Rules Commiee must priorize the study session in May in order to make the ballot measure deadline.

2. We want Expanding Vong Rights for All to be an oﬃcial independent ballot and include the following: Allow all residents (documented, DACA, Green Card holders, Temp Visa, and undocumented) to vote in city elecons including council members, ballots, mayor, all posions.

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This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources Ban non-Citizens from voting
Diane Duke <
Sun 5/15/2022 4:52 PM
To: City Clerk <
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Please do what you can to prevent non-citizens from being able to vote. It is not legal.

Thank you.

Diane Duke
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources You don't often get email from Learn why this is important FW: Extend municipal voting rights to all residents of the City of San José Measure City Clerk <
Mon 5/16/2022 12:49 PM
To: Agendadesk <

From: Maryam Pirayou <
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2022 12:47 PM
To: City Clerk < Reed, Jim < Gomez, David
< Sandoval, Vanessa < Ramos, Chrisna M
<chris Brown, Stacey < Lupercio, Adan
< Groen, Mary Anne < District7
< McGarrity, Patrick < District9 <
District 10 <
Subject: Extend municipal vong rights to all residents of the City of San José Measure

Greetings,

My name is Maryam Pirayo and I am a long time resident of San Jose. I came to the US as an immigrant, but I did not become a citizen immediately after I was eligible. Even though I studied computer science at UC Berkeley, I did not learn much about how America was founded, its constitution, cost of liberty, responsibility of the citizens, and etc. I believe the laws that enabled me to migrate to this country providing freedoms that I did not have in my native land are too important to be taken lightly. Attainting citizenship will enable residents to become informed voters while deciding on issues that enabled them to become residents of this country in the first place. Please vote NO on this measure.

Best Regards,
Maryam Pirayo

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This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources Opposition to Non-citizen participation on Boards & Commissions wendy brukwinski <
Mon 6/13/2022 10:48 PM
To: Mahan, Matt < District 10 < City Clerk <
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Hello Councilmember Mahan:

I have just learned that the Council will be considering allowing non-cizens to parcipate in boards and commissions. I oppose this because it is a slippery slope toward jusfying that non-cizens vote in San Jose elecons. I can hear the argument now…”Look non-cizens are serving on boards and commissions…how can we DENY them the “RIGHT” to vote in local elecons?”

Regards,
Wendy Brukwinski

property ownership and therefore excluded women, Black Americans, Mexicanos/Latinos, Natives Americans, and poor whites. As the population of communities of color grew in this country (1880's and 1920’s), White elites enacted various barriers to prevent the poor, people of color and women from voting. Literacy laws, poll taxes, felony disenfranchisement laws, voter registration requirements and restrictive residency were instituted to disenfranchise millions of poor people, people of color and immigrants. Exclusion from voting was also tried to nativist views of belonging and residency. The women's suffrage, civil rights movement and Black, Asian, and Chicano movements played a critical role to end these unjust restrictions at state, local and federal levels. San Jose must now do its part to end voting exclusion tied to racial and social injustice and expand the voting power to all residents.

Please expand the right to vote to all San Jose residents. Thank you for your time and consideration Sent from my iPhone
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Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important FW: I support Voting for ALL!
Taber, Toni <
Fri 8/19/2022 4:07 PM
To:Agendadesk <

Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Clerk
City of San Jose
200 E Santa Clara Street
San José, CA 95113
408-535-1260

From: Chelsey Prewi <
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 11:42 AM
To: District4 <
Cc: Taber, Toni <
Subject: I support Vong for ALL!

Hello Councilmember Cohen,
My name is Chelsey Prewi, and I’m glad I have the chance to send a note in support of the campaign to expand vong rights to all.

I grew up and went to school in Berryessa, and sll work here as a proud advocate for SJ. And my family is sll here— my younger siblings went to school with your kids and my dad Frans has put your yard sign up in our yard over the years. It’s been a privilege to grow up in San Jose, and to know that I have access to all the privileges of democracy, like contacng my elected oﬃcials (like yourself) or vong.

Now that I work deeply on the Eastside, I have realized that not all my peers have access to these privileges. The folks I collaborate with every day are brilliant, commied to their community, and polically savvy. It makes no sense that they cannot vote and help shape our city. Immigraon status shouldn’t be a barrier— San Jose is home to thousands of people who are contribung daily to this city.

I have heard you take a few diﬀerent approaches on this issue, but I hope that you’re taking all of our advocacy in consideraon. Our movaon for this campaign is truly out of love and commitment to democracy and transformave jusce. We support the expansion of vong rights because we personally know the people who would beneﬁt and add their strong voices. I see no beneﬁt in gatekeeping this process or liming the possibilies of residents.

Thank you for taking the me to read my message, I hope you will be a champion for democracy when it’s me to vote.

Respecully,

Chelsey Prewi
SOMOS Mayfair

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You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important FW: Support the expansion of local voting rights to non-citizens in San Jose! Taber, Toni <
Fri 8/19/2022 4:12 PM
To:Agendadesk <

Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Clerk
City of San Jose
200 E Santa Clara Street
San José, CA 95113
408-535-1260

From: Jessica Moctezuma <
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 6:55 PM
To: Admin <
Cc: Taber, Toni <
Subject: Support the expansion of local vong rights to non-cizens in San Jose!

Dear Councilmembers,
Hi, my name is _Jessica Moctezuma___, I am a community member of the City of San Jose, and I support the expansion of local voting rights to non-citizens in San Jose. Non-citizens are important to our community because they contribute directly to our economy, culture, and national and local development. Regardless of immigration status, residents of the city of San José must be guaranteed the right to elect their representatives to public office. Extending voting rights to non-citizen residents will transform San José into a more inclusive and democratic city, making San Jose an example for other communities in the United States.

I urge our council members to continue to dedicate the necessary time and resources to make non-citizen voting in San Jose a reality.

Please support the expansion of voting rights to all San Jose City residents.

Respectfully,

Jessica Moctezuma M.A.

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You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important FW: Support the expansion of local voting rights to non-citizens in San Jose! Taber, Toni <
Fri 8/19/2022 4:12 PM
To:Agendadesk <

Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Clerk
City of San Jose
200 E Santa Clara Street
San José, CA 95113
408-535-1260

From: Brenda Garcia <
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 4:31 PM
To: The Oﬃce of Mayor Sam Liccardo <TheOﬃ District1 < District2 < District3 < District4 < District5
< District 6 < District7 < District8
< District9 < District 10 <
Cc: Taber, Toni <
Subject: Support the expansion of local vong rights to non-cizens in San Jose!

Dear Councilmember Sylvia Arenas,
Hi, my name is Brenda Garcia. I am a community member of the City of San Jose, and I support the expansion of local voting rights to non-citizens in San Jose. Non-citizens are important to our community because they contribute directly to our economy, culture, and national and local development. Regardless of immigration status, residents of the city of San José must be guaranteed the right to elect their representatives to public office. Extending voting rights to non-citizen residents will transform San José into a more inclusive and democratic city, making San Jose an example for other communities in the United States.

I urge our council members to continue to dedicate the necessary time and resources to make non-citizen voting in San Jose a reality.

Please support the expansion of voting rights to all San Jose City residents.

Respectfully,

Brenda Garcia-Lujano

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Please do not allow NON CITIZEN'S to vote! Everyone should have a right to vote, but, only if they become legal citizen's of the United States of America.

Lydia Norcia <
Mon 8/22/2022 7:07 AM
To:Lydia Norcia <
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I firmly believe that citizenship is something earned - citizenship means you understand and believe that voting is a right and a responsibility. Citizenship should not be given to those who have not earned it. Our country was founded on ideals that all new people coming into our country should know and understand.

Citizenship is a huge reasonability and a right.

Our country was and is strong because many have fought and died for the ideals of our USA.

Please do not allow NON CITIZEN'S to vote!
Everyone should have a right to vote, but, only if they become legal citizen's of the United States of America. No one should be allowed to vote without earning it and understanding our history and our fundamental promise.

I am concerned about the legality of non-citizen voting in regards to the constitution.

My grand parents came to this country from Italy and they had sponsor's and jobs and became legal citizen's. They were proud to be Americans and to be legal voters.

Please protect our country and do not allow this to happen to our country.

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This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. vote NO on allowing non citizens to vote
Couture, Terri <
Mon 8/22/2022 12:18 PM
To:Gomez, David <
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We believe that cizenship means something — and that vong is both a right and responsibility of being a cizen. Many have fought and died for our rights as cizens. We should not reduce the signiﬁcance of cizenship by taking away its most fundamental promise.

Please protect our rights and our consituon!
Terri Couture & Fred Tuerk
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Vote NO NO NO Non- citizen voting
Lynley Kerr Hogan <
Mon 8/22/2022 1:26 PM
Cc: City Clerk <
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In the long term, nothing good can come from allowing non-citizens to vote because it is only the citizens whose voices must be heard and whose needs matter most.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON NON-CITIZEN VOTING.

Thank you.

Lynley Kerr Hogan
Los Gatos CA
Love, Compassion,
Forgiveness, and Gratitude
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Fw: Non citizens voting
City Clerk <
Mon 8/22/2022 2:42 PM
To:Agendadesk <
Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Main: 408-535-1260
Fax: 408-292-6207
How is our service? Please take our short survey.

From: Lorraine O'DEA <
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 2:15 PM
To: The Oﬃce of Mayor Sam Liccardo <TheOﬃ District1 < District2 < District3 < District4 < District5
< District 6 < District7 < District8
< District9 < District 10 < Reed, Jim
< Gomez, David < Sandoval, Vanessa <
Ramos, Chrisna M <chris Brown, Stacey < Lupercio, Adan < Groen, Mary Anne < McGarrity, Patrick
< City Clerk <
Subject: Non cizens vong

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I believe voting is for citizens only.

I urge you to turn down this request. It would set a bad precedent. If non citizens want control over their children's school then they can attend a private school and become active on school board.

Lorraine O'Dea

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Fw: Initiative to allow non-citizens to vote
City Clerk <
Mon 8/22/2022 2:44 PM
To:Agendadesk <
Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Main: 408-535-1260
Fax: 408-292-6207
How is our service? Please take our short survey.

From: Nancy Murphy <
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 2:33 PM
To: The Oﬃce of Mayor Sam Liccardo <TheOﬃ
Subject: Iniave to allow non-cizens to vote

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I am writing to urge you NOT to allow non-citizens the privilege of voting in our elections. Voting is a privilege that legal citizens participate in to make decisions for our communities, our state and our nation. What is the sense of even having an election if people from other countries can vote in them? What is to stop communist countries from sending in groups of people to vote to sway elections the way they want them to go? This is an extremely bad idea that will not benefit our communities or our country.

Sincerely, Nancy L. Murphy
Life-long resident of California

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Fw: Opposing the initiative to allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.

City Clerk <
Mon 8/22/2022 3:25 PM
To:Agendadesk <
Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Main: 408-535-1260
Fax: 408-292-6207
How is our service? Please take our short survey.

From: Yanwu <
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 3:17 PM
To: The Oﬃce of Mayor Sam Liccardo <TheOﬃ District1 < District2 < District3 < District4 < District5
< District 6 < District7 < District8
< District9 < District 10 < Reed, Jim
< Gomez, David < Sandoval, Vanessa <
Ramos, Chrisna M <chris Brown, Stacey < Lupercio, Adan < Groen, Mary Anne < McGarrity, Patrick
< City Clerk <
Subject: Opposing the iniave to allow non-cizens to vote in municipal elecons.

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Dear San Jose City Council:

On behalf of myself and my family, I strongly oppose the initiative to allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.

The very process of attaining citizenship is designed to help one become a voter on which democracy relies. Voting is both a right and responsibility of being a citizen. Many have fought and died for our rights as citizens. We must not reduce the significance of citizenship by giving away the most fundamental right of citizens --- voting, to non-citizens.

Y. Z., Los Gatos

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Fw: Support voting rights for non-citizens
City Clerk <
Mon 8/22/2022 4:06 PM
To:Agendadesk <
Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Main: 408-535-1260
Fax: 408-292-6207
How is our service? Please take our short survey.

From: Patrice Beard <
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 3:51 PM
To: City Clerk <
Subject: Support vong rights for non-cizens

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My name is Patrice Beard. I live in San Jose in district 6, I’m a member of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), and I support the Voice, Right, and Vote campaign to extend local voting rights to non-citizens in San Jose.

Immigrants who are not yet U.S. citizens currently vote legally in local elections in towns in Maryland and Vermont, in New York City, and in 45 countries on nearly every continent. Our federal immigration system is flawed and we cannot wait for change to happen at the national level. We want San Jose to lead the way and extend local voting rights to non-citizen residents.

Building a democratic and inclusive San Jose makes the city an example for other communities in the United States.

Regardless of immigration status, residents of the city of San José must be guaranteed the right to elect their representatives to public office in our society. Extending voting rights to non-citizen residents will transform San José into a more inclusive and democratic city.

For most of US history—from 1776 until 1926—noncitizens voted in 40 states, and not just in local elections but also in state, and even federal elections. We are at an important moment in history where we have the opportunity to restore a democracy where we value the voices of all people who live and work here. This is why I urge our council members to continue to dedicate the necessary time and resources to make non-citizen voting in San Jose a reality.

Thank you,
Patrice Beard

San Jose City CouncilAugust 23, 2022

San Jose City Council
August 23, 2022