Right in time for elections, 40 new Angelenos became citizens at a naturalization ceremony held at Loyola Marymount Law School in downtown Los Angeles.

Many joined the 3.5 million people of voting age who have become U.S. Citizens since the last election, according to the Partnership for New Americans.

Their vote can be especially important in swing states according to Political Science professor at Cal State Fullerton, Scott Spitzer. 

“This is a group that, if they turn out in large numbers, could make the difference in those key swing states like Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania. The number in Pennsylvania who were naturalized is about 85,000 and the vote margin in 2020 was 81,000,” said Spitzer. 

Although he cautions not to treat naturalized citizens as a voting bloc, as they do not sway one way or another.