California voters to decide on Prop 39 voter ID rules

California voters face a statewide decision on Election Day regarding proposed voter identification rules. The ballot measure would require people to show identification at polling places or verify citizenship when registering. Currently, residents must verify their identity only during voter registration.

Prop 39 would require voters to present an identification card at the polls. Mail voters would need to submit the last four digits of a government identification number, like a Social Security number. The initiative also requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

Election officials would need to keep registration rolls updated. They would also confirm the citizenship status of all registered voters. The California Secretary of State’s office placed the measure on the ballot after confirming over 1 million signatures in April.

Supporters argue the rules increase trust and confidence in elections, according to the voter guide. Opponents argue the proposal advances a “voter suppression agenda.” Carl DeMaio, a San Diego Republican Assemblymember, backed the effort.

“Divisive politicians with partisan agendas will try to politicize this effort, but the fact remains that over 70 percent of voters, including a majority of Democrat voters, support the initiative, and nearly half of the 1.35 million signatures we collected to put this common-sense reform on the ballot came from Democrats and independents,” DeMaio said in April.

Many elected Democrats oppose the ballot measure. The American Civil Liberties Union also opposes the initiative.

“California’s elections are already secure,” David Trujillo, executive director of ACLU California Action, said. “This is voter suppression, pure and simple and would create new obstacles to voting for countless Californians.”

The measure sparked controversy over official ballot phrasing prepared in Sacramento. An accusation of “election rigging” targeted Attorney General Rob Bonta after his office changed the language. The original title stated the proposition establishes identification and citizenship requirements.

The revised title states the measure prohibits citizens from voting “unless they present government-issued identification.” A yes vote mandates additional identifying details each time a person votes. A no vote keeps signature verification as the standard.

Ballot initiatives allow citizens to propose statutory changes or constitutional amendments directly to the electorate. State officials review submitted signatures to determine whether petitions meet legal thresholds for a vote.

Voters across San Diego and the rest of the state will decide the issue on Election Day.