Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Is the right to vote a universal human right? In other words, does it matter if you're a legal citizen to vote in an election? If you're in San Francisco, the answer is no. San Francisco is now allowing non-citizens to vote in school board races. That's correct: illegal immigrants and those who cannot prove their residency will be allowed to vote in school board elections. There's a lot of talk about election integrity these days, but such a move undermines all integrity. San Francisco's city fathers believe they're being compassionate by allowing illegal immigrants a voice in the school system, but they forget that their primary obligation is to legal citizens and to uphold the rule of law.  Only 35 illegal immigrants have registered under the new law which is lower than expected.