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California Voter ID Proposal to Appear on November Ballot
LOS ANGELES – Californians will have the opportunity this November to vote on a proposal that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, as well as identification at polling places, state officials confirmed Friday.
The measure arrives amid ongoing national discussions about election security and the level of voter verification that should be required. In Washington, Republicans, supported by former President Donald Trump, are advocating for stricter proof-of-citizenship rules for voters.
Backed by Republican lawmakers in California, the initiative is framed as a common-sense step to bolster confidence in elections within the nation’s most populous state, which has over 23 million registered voters. Supporters submitted enough petition signatures to qualify the measure for the statewide ballot.
“Every day, we present ID for things like flying, opening bank accounts, and picking up prescriptions. Thirty-six states and many countries require voter ID,” said state Senator Tony Strickland, a Republican from Huntington Beach and a proponent of the proposal. “Californians deserve secure, transparent elections.”
If passed, the measure would also mandate that voters submitting mail-in ballots provide the last four digits of a government-issued ID number, such as a Social Security number. California currently is one of 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., that does not require voters to present identification at the polls or when registering.
While California has faced scrutiny over its vote-counting processes, studies indicate that voter fraud nationwide is rare. Instances of noncitizens voting have been reported but are generally infrequent and often attributed to errors rather than intentional fraud.
Most Californians vote by mail, and the state is known for its thorough but sometimes lengthy ballot counting process, which aims to ensure accuracy and count every vote.
The initiative comes at a crucial election year as Californians prepare to elect a new governor and with control of Congress at stake. However, opponents warn that increased ID requirements could create barriers for certain groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those without driver’s licenses.
Meanwhile, former President Trump continues to assert, without evidence, that the 2020 election was compromised by widespread fraud. These claims have been dismissed by numerous judges, including some appointed by Trump himself, as well as by his own attorney general and extensive investigations. Multiple audits and recounts in contested states have consistently confirmed Joe Biden’s victory.