"My original bias was to vote against this measure because I too believed that voting was a right only for citizens, but the facts got in the way of my bias. After hearing the testimonies of these people, it became clear that these people were not becoming citizens simply because of a lack of effort," Braude said.

Michael A. Sullivan, a member of the city council, said the measure will allow local government to better represent the opinions of all Cambridge residents.

"We see our job as representing all people here, regardless if they can vote or not. The basic reality is that if parents can't vote, the school committee doesn't pay attention to them," Sullivan said.

Cambridge City Mayor Anthony D. Galluccio, who voted against the measure, said he believes the campaign for voting rights takes the focus off the real issue concerning immigrants and citizenship.

"I think the focus should be on the actual immigration process. The federal government needs to reevaluate the way it grants citizenship, especially to those seeking political asylum, so that they can become citizens and vote. While I am sympathetic with the frustration about all the red tape, I feel that voting rights are an important part of becoming a citizen," he said.

There are several other American cities, including New York and Chicago, which allow non-citizens to vote in school committee elections. Approximately 20 percent of Cambridge school children have immigrant parents.

Massachusetts state Representative Jarrett T. Barrios '90 (D-Cambridge) said he will support the measure in the State Legislature because it is only fair for parents who pay taxes for schools to have a say where their money goes.