California Proposition 39 Ballot Language Challenge

An anti-voting lawsuit challenging the attorney general’s wording of a Republican-led state voter ID ballot measure.

Background

Californians for Voter ID, and a California voter, filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the attorney general’s wording of a state voter ID ballot measure requiring in-person voters to present a government-issued ID and mail-in voters to produce a four-digit code for their votes to be counted. Plaintiffs argue that the published language “is not a true and impartial statement of the measure’s purpose” because the measure “does not prohibit any citizen from voting but regulates which ballots are counted.” Plaintiffs also assert the language omits a primary purpose of the proposed amendment to help election officials “maintain accurate voter rolls and verify citizenship.” The lawsuit seeks expedited relief to amend the ballot measure’s title and include the omitted purpose before the public examination period closes Aug. 10.

Why It Matters

Proposition 39 is a proposed constitutional amendment, spawned by California Republicans, that would require voters to produce government-issued ID for their ballots to be counted. Opponents of the ballot measure argue it would disenfranchise vulnerable voters, including senior citizens, low-income individuals, communities of color, students and more. The ballot measure also requires mail-in voters to produce a four-digit code on their ballot to ensure it will be counted, creating possible confusion and increased risk of ballot rejection.

Latest Updates

• July 28, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.