“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.<\/p>\n
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If approved, the measure would require people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and in-person voters to bring a government-issued photo ID (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist John Dwelle).<\/p>\n
If approved, the measure would require people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and in-person voters to bring a government-issued photo ID.<\/p>\n
Tangipa said the measure is intended to add confidence in elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d Tangipa said.<\/p>\n
Acceptable photo identification could include a driver\u2019s license, passport or military ID.<\/p>\n
Proof of citizenship could include a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.<\/p>\n
For mail-in ballots, voters would be required to write the last four digits of a government ID on the mail ballot envelope.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody 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.”<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor anyone who’s ever tried to get your birth certificate, I mean you have to take a day off of work,” Ang\u00e9lica Salceda, director of the ACLU of Northern California, said. “You have to be able to go get transportation if you don’t have transportation,\u201d<\/p>\n
Salceda said this measure would be another barrier that would make it harder for people to vote.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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.”<\/p>\n
Salceda said she has full confidence that Californians will see this as a voter suppression measure.<\/p>\n
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Ang\u00e9lica 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)<\/p>\n
The Center of Democracy and Civic Engagement cited studies from 2020<\/a> 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\u2019s license and more than one million did not have a proper government-issued photo ID.<\/p>\n The center also found members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups were less likely to have a current driver\u2019s license or other government-issued photo ID.<\/p>\n Supporters of the measure said the proposal accounts for potential obstacles. <\/p>\n \u201cIt’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,\u201d Tangipa said.<\/p>\n The measure is framed by supporters as a way to combat voter fraud.<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n A conservative group, The Heritage Foundation, recorded 71 cases<\/a> <\/a>of voter fraud in California from 1993 to this year. <\/p>\n![\"If](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772723408_742_1b8b64f0-f911-490f-bdea-74ce7b210201-VoterID.png\"\/)
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