In September of 2003 I sent an email to the Los Angeles city attorney's office requested information regarding the acceptance of illegal aliens running for office and/or voting in Los Angeles' Neighborhood Councils. The following is the email response I received:

September 30, 2003

From Gwen Poindexter, Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney.

Dear Mr. Netkin:

You have posed the following two questions to the City Attorney's Office:

1. May an illegal alien vote as a stakeholder in a neighborhood council election? Yes or No

2. May an illegal alien run for office as a board member in a neighborhood council election? Yes or No

Based on the current City Charter, which can be amended, the answer to both of your questions is, "yes."

Gwen Poindexter

Office of the City Attorney

Managing Assistant

Neighborhood Council Advice Division

(213) 978-2236