Boston is once again considering allowing non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, a move proponents say would amplify the voices of a significant portion of the city’s population. City Councilor Julia Mejia introduced a home rule petition Wednesday to extend voting rights to residents with “legal status,” reigniting a debate that previously led to a similar measure passing the City Council in 2023. The proposal comes amid a heightened climate of concern for immigrant communities, as the federal government pursues a more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.
The petition would grant voting rights to roughly 28% of Boston’s population – approximately 189,000 people – who have legal status but are not yet U.S. Citizens, according to data from the 2020 census cited by Councilor Mejia. These residents contribute an estimated $2.3 billion in taxes annually and wield roughly $6 billion in spending power, she added. The move to expand the electorate reflects a growing push for greater inclusivity in local governance, particularly as immigrant communities face increased scrutiny.
Previous Effort and Current Hurdles
This isn’t the first time the Boston City Council has explored this issue. In December 2023, the Council approved a similar home rule petition by an 8-4 vote. However, that petition was sent to the Massachusetts State House, where, according to Councilor Mejia, it stalled. “It was sent to the State House, where everything goes to die,” she said Wednesday. The current petition aims to revive the effort, particularly in light of what Mejia described as “increasing attacks” on immigrant communities. Boston is currently involved in a legal battle with the federal government over its sanctuary city policies, a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in September 2025.
New rules implemented by City Council President Liz Breadon this term limit debate on matters not currently up for a vote. This meant that during Wednesday’s meeting, Councilor Mejia was the only councilor permitted to speak in favor of her proposal on the Council floor.
Council Divisions Emerge
While seven of the 13 councilors signed onto Mejia’s order – Breadon, Miniard Culpepper, Ruthzee Louijeune, Enrique Pepén, Henry Santana, Ben Weber, and Brian Worrell – opposition remains. Councilor Ed Flynn, a U.S. Navy veteran, publicly stated his opposition, arguing that the right to vote should be reserved for U.S. Citizens. “Though I have a strong record in support of immigrants in Boston, I firmly believe the right to vote is a unique privilege reserved for U.S. Citizens, including those who have gone through the extensive citizenship application process,” Flynn said in a statement. Councilors Gabriela Coletta Zapata, Sharon Durkan, John FitzGerald, and Erin Murphy also did not add their names to the petition.
Concerns about potential legal ramifications were also raised during previous discussions. Former Councilor Michael Flaherty cautioned that extending voting rights to non-citizens could lead to accidental registration in federal or state elections, potentially jeopardizing an immigrant’s path to citizenship, a concern echoed by Breadon at the time.
A Growing Trend in U.S. Cities
Boston is not alone in considering such a move. According to Councilor Mejia’s petition, non-citizen voting rights have already been granted in 11 municipalities in Maryland, two in Vermont, and in San Francisco and New York City. This growing trend reflects a broader conversation about civic engagement and representation within immigrant communities.
“Today, we’re back again because the urgency of this issue has only grown at a time when immigrant communities are facing increasing attacks, harmful rhetoric and fear,” Mejia said. “We have a responsibility at the local level to respond. This is about morale and whether our immigrant neighbors sense seen, valued, and protected in the cities that they call home.”
The petition has been referred to the Government Operations committee for a hearing, marking the next step in the process. The committee will review the proposal and consider its potential implications before making a recommendation to the full City Council. The timeline for a hearing has not yet been announced.
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