Prop. 39 explained: Voter ID requirement for every ballot

SAN JOSE - Proposition 39 is a citizen initiative that would amend the state Constitution to require voter identification.  California does not now require most voters to show ID.

What it would do

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), people voting by mail would have to write the last four digits of a government-issued ID number on their ballot envelope.  Ballots without it would not count.  People voting in person would have to show ID.  The state would offer a free voter ID card.

Election officials would have to use their "best efforts" to confirm that registered voters are citizens.  The State Auditor would audit elections in odd-numbered years, and the Legislature would have to pass laws to carry out the measure.

Who would be affected

All of the state's voters, and especially the large majority who vote by mail, would be affected, along with county election offices.  Voters without a driver's license or other ID would need to get the free state card.

What it would cost

The LAO estimates state and county costs of tens of millions to low hundreds of millions of dollars a year, depending on how many voters need ID cards and how the rules are carried out.

Supporters and why

Supporters include the Transparency Foundation, the Latino American Political Association, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Women's Leadership Association.  They say almost half the petition signatures came from Democratic and independent voters.

"Voter ID is a common-sense reform to increase trust and participation in our elections." - Argument in favor of Prop. 39

Opponents and why

Opponents include ACLU California Action, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of California and the California Nurses Association.  They say the measure would throw out valid ballots and waste money.

"Don't let California become the next state where politicians pick which voters count." - Argument against Prop. 39

Where the parties stand

The California Republican Party supports Prop. 39, and the California Democratic Party opposes it.  Voters split the same way:  in the IGS poll, 92% of Republicans and 6% of Democrats said yes.  PPIC found 82% of Republicans yes, 84% of Democrats no, and independents divided, 48% to 50%.

The money

The largest listed Yes contributions include $8 million from Joseph Gebbia, three checks totaling $17 million from Richard Uihlein, about $2.3 million in checks from Carl DeMaio's Reform California committee and three $1 million checks from Steve Bray and SR Bray.  On the No side, the California Democratic Party gave $2.25 million, $1.2 million and two $1 million checks, and Graton Rancheria and the California Nurses Association gave $2 million each.

Polling

In a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) survey of 1,086 likely voters taken Oct. 16-22 (margin of error plus or minus 3.8 points), 41% said yes and 58% no.  In a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) Poll of likely voters taken Oct. 19-25 and released Oct. 29, 37% said yes, 57% no and 5% were undecided; IGS said the No side had grown since its last poll.

Related coverage

Prop. 39 comes amid national debate over election security.  This paper's separate explainer on California election fraud claims reviews what state and county records show.

What your vote means

A yes vote means voters would need identification to vote, with a free ID available.  A no vote means current rules stay.

Source:  Secretary of State, Voter Information Guide, Prop. 39; Legislative Analyst analysis, Prop. 39; Official arguments and rebuttals, Prop. 39; Secretary of State Quick Guide to Props, Prop. 39; California Democratic Party endorsements; California Republican Party endorsements; PPIC Statewide Survey, October 2026; Berkeley IGS Poll Release #2026-22