9 publishers · first seen Mon, 02 Nov 2026 17:00 UTC · updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:00 UTC
California voters are deciding on Proposition 39, which would require voters to show a government ID at polling places. For mail ballots, voters would need to write the last four digits of their Social Security or other government-issued number. Prop. 39 would also require county election officials to annually check their voter rolls for noncitizens, and the state would be required to provide a free voter ID card for voters upon request. The measure has amassed $37 million in support from Republicans nationwide, and could be a bellwether for similar initiatives in other states. There is widespread consensus among experts that voter fraud is rare in California, and election officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have said such claims are unfounded.
Backers say requiring voter ID would be a small yet meaningful step to help deter voter fraud and guarantee California’s elections are secure. They also note that 36 other states require or recommend some form of identification to vote, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, although only 10 states are considered strict about it.
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