“The language, I find to be unbiased. It is simply describing who noncitizens are,”

— Council member Johnathan Hernandez

(From the June 19, 2024 Orange County Register article, “Santa Ana council stands firm on noncitizen voting ballot measure language despite legal challenge”)

Councilmember David Penaloza said when this measure was first approved, city staff brought forward “neutral, adequate” ballot language, but that it was replaced by “disingenuous” language to “persuade and influence” voters.

“But the City Council, in the open City Council meeting, pulled language out of the air, I don’t know why but they did, that included the term ‘parents,’” Penaloza, who was in the minority in support of making the change, said. “This is simply being done so when somebody goes to the ballot box, they read, ‘Oh yeah, of course parents and taxpayers can vote.’”

Read the entire article here.