Proposition 39 – Voter ID
IJ Action Recommendation: VOTE NO
Summary
Prop 39 would require that voters present government-issued ID when voting in person or submit their ID number or last four digits of their social security number when voting by mail. It also would require the state to verify citizenship of all voters.
Supporters Say
Supporters allege that voter fraud - namely committed by people who are undocumented - is a serious issue that must be addressed. They claim that asking voters to show their ID when voting will put an end to this supposed fraud. Prop 39 is supported by the California Republican Party, Reform California, and other right-wing organizations that have fallen in line with questioning election integrity under the Trump administration.
Opponents Say
Opponents argue that Prop 39 is a thinly-veiled attempt to make voting more difficult for communities of color or low-income voters who may not have access to a physical ID. They point out that state-issued ID or the last four digits of voters’ social security numbers are already required when registering to vote, and claims of widespread voter fraud have been proven time and again to be false. Prop 39 is opposed by voting rights and social justice organizations such as the ACLU of California, Common Cause, The League of Women Voters, and Courage California. It is also opposed by labor unions such as the California Nurses Association and California Teachers Association.
IJ Action Recommendation
VOTE NO. Prop 39 is a result of the racist and xenophobic narratives being uplifted by right-wing extremists who falsely claim voter fraud exists whenever their candidates lose an election. In reality, Prop 39 would discourage many lawful voters from casting their ballots and add an extra barrier that would disproportionately impact communities of color. Furthermore, directing the state to verify the citizenship of all voters is an invasion of privacy and an excuse to further harass people of color. Vote no, and reject this false narrative grounded in racist ideologies.
Yes Website
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