Proposition 39: Prohibits Citizens from Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

The law today

U.S. citizenship is required to vote in state and federal elections. Voters register with the county where they live, and identity is established at registration with a driver's license number, state ID number or last four digits of the Social Security number; voters who do not provide it may be asked for identification the first time they vote. All registered voters receive a vote-by-mail ballot. In person, voters typically identify themselves by signing the voter list; by mail, by signing the ballot envelope, and elections officials verify signatures on mail ballots before counting them. Elections officials keep voter rolls current by removing people who are ineligible, such as those who have died or are in prison.[2]

Official fiscal estimate

Legislative Analyst: increased state and local costs of tens of millions of dollars to low hundreds of millions of dollars each year (less than 0.25 percent of the General Fund budget), depending on future decisions of the Legislature, state departments, local governments and voters. There could be some savings from fewer registered voters, which likely would not exceed the costs.[2]

Arguments made for

• Official argument in favor, signed by Margit Whitlock, Tafa Jefferson and Joe Green (Democratic, Republican and Independent Coalition Chairs, Californians for Voter ID): "Prop. 39 keeps mail ballots, extended polling hours and all other conveniences in place for voting accessibility," and "even guarantees every voter a FREE Voter ID if they want one."[3]
• Same argument: "In the last election, more than 100,000 ballots were rejected due to signature mismatches—and more than 200,000 voters endured hassles just to get their vote to count."[3]

Arguments made against

• Official argument against, signed by David Trujillo (ACLU California Action), Darius Kemp (Common Cause) and Lorrel Plimier (League of Women Voters of California): "voters would have to include a personal ID number on their ballot envelope that has to exactly match state records. Get one digit wrong, and a valid ballot could get thrown out."[3]
• Same argument: "'Free' state IDs aren't free: voters still pay for transportation, time off work, and costs like childcare or getting required documents," and "Prop. 39 will make every vote by mail voter include their personal details on their return envelope—making voters easy targets for identity theft."[3]

On record in support

• Californians for Voter ID, Yes on 39 (the registered ballot measure committee); signers Margit Whitlock, Tafa Jefferson and Joe Green are its Democratic, Republican and Independent coalition chairs.[5][3]
• Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the Transparency Foundation, Latino American Political Association and California Women’s Leadership Association (named as supporters in the official arguments in favor).[3]
• California Republican Party and Reform California (listed in CalMatters' voter guide).[6]

On record in opposition

• ACLU California Action, Common Cause and League of Women Voters of California (signers of the official argument against).[3]
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, California Nurses Association and California School Employees Association (signers of the rebuttal to the argument in favor).[3]
• California Democratic Party (listed in CalMatters' voter guide).[6]
• Registered No on Prop 39 committees include No on 39 - Block Election Rigging (sponsored by nurses, teachers, and nonprofit labor and community health clinic organizations), United Against Prop. 39 (sponsored by nonprofit labor and civil rights organizations) and No on Prop 39 - Californians for Voting Rights (sponsored by California Donor Table and ACLU of Northern California).[5]