Chinese immigrant joins San Fran’s Election Commission without U.S. citizenship
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
6:18 PM – Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Despite not being a citizen of the United States, a Chinese immigrant was sworn in to serve on the San Francisco Election Commission, sparking concerns about national security. One U.S. senator had previously warned about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long-term strategy.
On February 14th, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously selected Kelly Wong, an immigrant rights activist who arrived in the U.S. from Hong Kong in 2019 to pursue doctoral studies.
After a ballot initiative to remove the citizenship barrier to serve on San Francisco boards was adopted by California voters in 2020, she is believed to be the first non-citizen to hold a commission position.
“There are always voices inside my head, like ‘You can’t do it. You’re not competent. You’re an immigrant. This is not your country,’” Wong said.
“If I can do it, you can do it,” she added.
Wong, who is not allowed to vote, is one of seven individuals in her new role who will supervise and carry out the Department of Elections’ policies.
She will be in charge of voter registration, mail-in ballots, polling areas, and election monitoring.
“This appointment is a milestone for all immigrant and marginalized communities throughout San Francisco,” Wong wrote on her now-deleted LinkedIn profile, according to the Epoch Times.
“Representation matters: thousands of immigrants living in the city hold stakes in politics, and there is no better way to have us be represented than to serve in leadership positions.”
“I am deeply committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of immigration status, has a seat at the table in shaping the future of our city,” she added.
Wong expressed her desire to see a rise in the number of immigrants and non-English speaking voters show up on election day.
“Even though I’m fluent in English, I still encounter challenges in navigating a new system, let alone participating in political conversation and activities,” she told KQED.
However, Wong also intends to continue working for Chinese for Affirmative Action, a non-governmental organization established in 1969, as the commissioner role is unpaid.
On its website, it states that its goals are to “promote multiracial democracy in the United States” and defend the “civil and political rights of Chinese Americans.”
Previously, the group pressured the government to amend the legislation so that non-citizens may cast ballots in San Francisco school board elections if their kids attended a district school.
Meanwhile, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) expressed concern about what he claims is President Xi Jinping’s “long game” in response to Wong’s appointment to the elections board, citing the 452 Chinese individuals apprehended at the southern border in the last three days alone, according to Customs and Border Protection data.
“Look, they’re flooding our borders with fentanyl, killing Americans,” he said.
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How could having a non-citizen serve on the election commission potentially compromise the integrity of the electoral process?
Concerns Arise Over Chinese Immigrant’s Appointment to San Francisco Election Commission
Despite not being a citizen of the United States, a Chinese immigrant has been sworn in to serve on the San Francisco Election Commission, sparking concerns about national security. This appointment has raised questions about the potential implications of having a non-citizen serve in a position that involves overseeing and implementing election policies.
Kelly Wong, an immigrant rights activist who arrived in the U.S. from Hong Kong in 2019 to pursue doctoral studies, was unanimously selected by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on February 14th, 2024. After a ballot initiative to remove the citizenship barrier to serve on San Francisco boards was adopted by California voters in 2020, Wong is believed to be the first non-citizen to hold a commission position.
While Wong’s appointment is being praised as a milestone for immigrant and marginalized communities in San Francisco, it has also raised concerns about national security. One U.S. senator had previously warned about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long-term strategy, and some believe that allowing a Chinese immigrant to serve on an election commission could potentially compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Wong, who is not allowed to vote, will be responsible for various election-related tasks, including voter registration, mail-in ballots, polling areas, and election monitoring. She expressed her desire to see a rise in the number of immigrants and non-English speaking voters participating in the electoral process. Wong believes that representation matters and that having immigrants in leadership positions is essential for ensuring that diverse communities are adequately represented.
While Wong’s appointment is seen as a positive step towards inclusivity and diversity, there are concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Wong also intends to continue working for Chinese for Affirmative Action, a non-governmental organization that aims to promote multiracial democracy in the United States and defend the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans. Some worry that her involvement with this organization could influence her decisions and actions as a commissioner.
In response to Wong’s appointment, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) expressed concerns about President Xi Jinping’s ”long game.” He cited recent data from Customs and Border Protection, indicating that 452 Chinese individuals were apprehended at the southern border in the last three days alone. This raised concerns about potential Chinese influence and the smuggling of illicit substances like fentanyl.
While Wong’s appointment may represent progress in terms of inclusivity, it also highlights the need for robust vetting processes and careful consideration of potential conflicts of interest. Safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process should remain a top priority for any appointment to positions of influence and decision-making.
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