For the first time, San Francisco has selected a non-citizen to serve on its elections commission, despite her inability to vote.
Bay Area public radio station reported Thursday:
“The newest member of the San Francisco Elections Commission, a seven-member civilian body that oversees and creates policy for the city’s Department of Elections, isn’t legally allowed to vote.
“Kelly Wong, an immigrant rights advocate, is believed to be the first noncitizen appointed to the commission. At a swearing-in ceremony administered by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin on Wednesday at San Francisco City Hall, dozens of people gathered to commemorate the occasion.
…
“Wong’s appointment is the result of a 2020 voter-approved measure that removed the citizenship requirement to serve on San Francisco boards, commissions and advisory bodies. Each of the commission’s seven members is appointed by a different city official, such as the mayor, city attorney or district attorney. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Wong.”
Previous reports have indicated that non-citizens can participate in San Francisco school board elections. The distinction between those eligible to vote in school board elections and other elections remains uncertain.
Democratic-led areas have made efforts to grant voting rights to non-citizens in order to benefit from the significant immigrant population, both legal and illegal, attracted by lenient Democratic border policies. Despite legal challenges, the voting system in San Francisco has managed to withstand court scrutiny.
