FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A proposed California ballot measure that would require voters to show photo identification and provide proof of citizenship appears to be headed for the November ballot after supporters collected more than one million signatures.
State and local leaders gathered in downtown Fresno on Tuesday, March 3, to mark the signature milestone for the “California Voter I-D Initiative of 2026.”
“Our measure simply holds government officials accountable to maintain accurate voter lists and verify the identity of individuals passing ballots in our election,” Assemblyman David Tangipa, a Republican representing District Eight, said.
A proposed California ballot measure that would require voters to show photo identification and provide proof of citizenship appears to be headed for the November ballot after supporters collected more than one million signatures (FOX26).{ }
If approved, the measure would require in-person voters to bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship.
Tangipa said the measure is intended to add confidence in elections.
“If this adds just an additional layer that makes people feel comfortable that it’s one vote, it’s one person, and it’s one voice, it’s just something that I believe we should take the necessary steps,” Tangipa said.
Acceptable photo identification could include a driver’s license, passport or military ID.
Proof of citizenship could include a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
If approved, the measure would require in-person voters to bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship.
For mail-in ballots, voters would be required to write the last four digits of a government ID on the mail ballot envelope.
“Anybody in Fresno County can go to the registrar’s office and get their birth certificate,” Tangipa said. “Just like if you’re signing up your child for school.”
Opponents and voting rights advocates warned the measure’s requirements could create barriers, particularly for minorities and low-income communities that may not have easy access to the necessary documents.
“For anyone who’s ever tried to get your birth certificate, I mean you have to take a day off of work,” Angélica Salceda, director of the ACLU of Northern California, said. “You have to be able to go get transportation if you don’t have transportation,”
Salceda said this measure would be another barrier that would make it harder for people to vote.
“If you get married and your name has changed and you didn’t have time to be able to go, that’s going to impact you at the ballot box if this measure passe,” Salceda said. “It is really all of us that would be impacted.”
Salceda said she has full confidence that Californians will see this as a voter suppression measure.
Angélica Salceda, director of the ACLU of Northern California, says she has full confidence that Californians will see this as a voter suppression measure.{ }(Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist John Dwelle)
The Center of Democracy and Civic Engagement cited studies from 2020 that found that in states with strict photo ID laws, more than three million voting-age U.S. citizens did not have a current driver’s license and more than one million did not have a proper government-issued photo ID.
The center also found members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups were less likely to have a current driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID.
Supporters of the measure said the proposal accounts for potential obstacles.
“It’s up to both the county clerk to provide all the documentation to work pretty much over time to get them that and also for the Secretary of State’s office to make sure that if somebody needs an ID they have provided a free ID to vote,” Tangipa said.
The measure is framed by supporters as a way to combat voter fraud.
If approved, the measure would require in-person voters to bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship. (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist John Dwelle)
A conservative group, The Heritage Foundation, recorded 71 cases of voter fraud in California from 1993 to this year.
The California Research Bureau released a report last year that recorded 14 counties issued reports on the risk of voter fraud, focusing on the 2020-’24 elections.
Nationally, The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 36 states have voter ID regulations.
The remaining 14 states, plus Washington, D.C., use other methods to verify the identity of voters.
The measure needed 875,000 signatures to qualify.
The signatures will now go to the California Secretary of State for verification.