Voter ID, Proof Of Citizenship Ballot Initiative Launched By GOP Lawmakers

Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) and Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) unveiled a proposal Wednesday to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot requiring voter identification and proof of citizenship.

While voter ID initiatives have been routinely talked about in California for several decades, a new push for a ballot decision was floated earlier this year by DeMaio and then-Assemblyman Bill Essayli following the failure of DeMaio’s bill requiring voter ID to vote. While serious about their plans for the initiative, Essayli’s appointedment by President Donald Trump as U.S. Attorney delayed the effort. In the meantime, a May poll found a majority of Californians want proof of citizenship before voting. According to the UC Berkeley IGS poll, 71% of Californians want that proof of citizenship requirement for first time voter registration, while 54% are in favor of showing proof of citizenship before each election.

Backed by the support, as well as Senator Strickland teaming up with DeMaio, the lawmakers unveiled their new proposal outside the state Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday. While the initiative is in line with DeMaio’s previous bill and an attempt by Strickland to pass a similar initiative last year before it was challenged by Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, both lawmakers said that they are expecting Democrats to challenge the bill over the state-level ID requirements that could have the proposal’s constitutionality questioned. This is especially true of mail-in write in ballot options, in which the last four digits of a government-issued ID or Social Security number would be required in lieu of going in in person with a valid ID.

“Public trust in our elections in California is at an all-time low – and the best way to restore confidence that our elections are done fairly and properly is to impose a Voter ID requirement and hold elections officials accountable for maintaining accurate voter rolls,” Assemblyman DeMaio said in Sacramento. “We do not want to make it harder to vote. In fact, our initiative makes it easier to vote because it streamlines the process to verify someone’s identity.”

“Implementing a Voter ID requirement is critical in securing our elections. This initiative reinstates trust in our democracy and ensures every legal vote is counted.” said Senator Strickland. “The courts would be on our side because we carefully drafted this initiative. It’s constitutional.”

If passed, the new law would make California the 37th state to have such a voted ID law. The initiative, sponsored by DeMaio and Reform California, needs to have at least one million verified signatures to make it on the 2026 ballot. While an uphill battle, the sheer number of supporters for the bill give this proposition hope. More encouraging is the large number states with ID laws. With the ballot hitting nationwide next year should the number of signatures bring it forward, both lawmakers said that the effort will well be worth it.

As of Wednesday night, no specific opposition has been formed against the Reform California attempt. However, should it begin to gain traction, prominent Democrats are expected to oppose it en masse.