San Francisco to allow noncitizens to vote for school board

San Francisco will become the largest city in the United States and one of only a handful nationwide to allow noncitizens, including people in the country illegally, to cast a ballot in a local election in November.

They’re only allowed to vote in San Francisco’s school board race and must provide their address and date of birth to register. That information is public and can be obtained by federal officials.

Only 35 noncitizens have signed up to vote as of Monday, the registration deadline in California.

Supporters of the measure say it appears that noncitizens’ fear their information may reach U.S. officials has deterred many from helping elect new school board members.

Critics say voting is a right of citizens and allowing noncitizens to participate trivializes it.