The San Jose City Council met in a study session last month to discuss whether to give noncitizens the right to vote in municipal elections and test the ethos of American democracy of “no taxation without representation.”

According to the New American Economy (Councilwomen Magdalena Carrasco and Sylvia Arenas’ memorandum), in 2018 immigrants in the San Jose Metro area, including those who are undocumented, brought in $5.3 billion in state and local taxes and $12.9 billion federally, for a whopping total of $18.2 billion in taxes.

However, 18% of the population, or approximately 150,000 residents in San Jose, permanent residents and undocumented residents, do not have the right to vote because they are not citizens.

Residents, no matter their citizenship status, should have the right to vote because they contribute to all levels of the economy. They are the foundation of our nation, our rich culture and our proud heritage. Noncitizen voting promotes civic participation creating a sense that they can make a difference in their community.

Immigrants pay more than their fair share of taxes that can be used to cover the financial implications of amending the City Charter. The mayor and some City Council members focused their attention on the price tag of the amendment and ignored the 70-plus community speakers, including San Francisco State University Professor Ron Hayduk, who spoke in favor of the amendment.

Hayduk said expanding the vote improves accountability of city officials and public servants and increases representation. He said the “vote can be a powerful tool for marginalized groups to make sure the governing process is inclusive and equitable.”

He also explained that the California Constitution’s home rule law gives local jurisdictions the power to regulate city elections, and there is no state law in California that prohibits noncitizens from voting in local elections.

Historically, the vote in the United States was not a citizen’s right. Voting was based on race, gender and class: Only white, male property owners — immigrant or not — had the right to vote. Between 1776 to 1926, immigrants were allowed to vote in different local, state and federal elections and in some were elected into office in 40 out of the 50 states.

San Jose is not a pioneer on this voting-rights issue. There are already 15 municipalities that allow noncitizen voting in the United States.

During the study session, Misrayn Mendoza, a long-time San Jose resident, approached the mayor and the City Council with a stack of manila folders. “I want to show you my taxes because I do pay taxes since I came to this country,” he said in English. “And here are my two county commendations, but I’m still not good enough to vote in this city.”

He continued in Spanish, “Which side of history do you want to be on? On the side of democracy and freedom or on the side of oppression and slavery?”

Let’s allow all San Jose residents to vote and participate in the decision-making process that defines their futures. Let’s continue to build on our social justice legacy in San Jose so the children of our immigrants, and future voters, will feel connected to a city that sees them in all their richness and encourages them to be full participants in their community’s future.

Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas is a member of Papeles Para Todos and Our Voice, Rights & Votes Coalition. She is director of Red Colombiana de Apoyo and the San Jose State University Deputy Diversity Officer. She wrote this for San Jose State University’s The OpEd Project.