California is the Bluest of Blue states. Democrats control all statewide elected offices, and have super majorities in both houses of the State Legislature. Any new tax can be imposed or new law passed without a single Republican vote. But there is one process that Democrats do not completely control: the ballot initiative.
Citizens have the power to gather signatures to put a measure on the ballot for a direct vote of the electorate, bypassing the governor and the legislature. Thus did California voters manage to stage a property tax revolt with Proposition 13 way back in 1978. Even in California, there are enough red enclaves (like Linden, Redding, Valley Springs and Brumby Road) to provide the required number of signatures for ‘conservative’ causes. Proposition 39 is a case in point.
I seem to recall that when I first registered to vote, I had to produce a copy of my birth certificate and a photo ID. That was way back in 1976. I don’t know what the process is now, but every time I renew my driver’s license I am urged to sign up. I’m supposed to provide an address and ‘attest’ that I am a citizen and eligible to vote. Since CA issues drivers’ licenses to both legal (green card) aliens, and illegal aliens, I’m curious how many ineligible voters there are on the rolls. Or people registered at two different addresses. Or dead people.
Enter Proposition 39. This measure is supposed to tighten things up and make voting a little like opening a bank account or getting onto a commercial airliner. Nothing too draconian, but at least providing some assurance that ‘one citizen (alive) gets one vote’.
Here is what appeared on the petition, which enough people signed to qualify for the ballot this coming November:
ORIGINAL PROP 39 TITLE (September 19, 2025):
ESTABLISHES ADDITIONAL VOTER IDENTIFICATION AND CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment. This measure would amend the California Constitution to further require that voters present government-issued identification at the polls or the last four digits of a government-issued identification number when voting by mail; the State provide voter identification cards on request; and elections officials annually report percentage of each county’s voters whose citizenship they have verified.
Nothing too serious there. As I wrote before, many other countries, including France, have stricter rules. If you want a refresher on how the French do it, check this out: https://freehtt.org/2024/08/09/the-french-way/
For some reason, Democratic office holders are opposed to the idea of voter id’s. I have no idea why. Maybe they don’t want to have to verify citizenship because it would add too much to their workload. Maybe they like the blueness of our state election results and don’t want to endanger their choke hold on power. This Proposition must be defeated, so they are starting by rewriting the title: this is what our State Attorney General came up with:
REVISED PROP 39 TITLE (July 21, 2026):
PROHIBITS CITIZENS FROM VOTING UNLESS THEY PRESENT GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Invalidates mail ballots that do not have last four digits of designated government-issued identification number written on envelope. Prohibits in-person voting without presenting government-issued identification.
Initiative titles that appear on the ballot are supposed to use neutral language that accurately describes what the measure will do. The AG has the power to revise titles to make sure that is the case, but it seems to me that Banta went far beyond fair and neutral language.
The lawsuits have started, so what will actually appear on the ballot in November is still unknown. But if ‘Banta’s BS’ version makes it, just remember that you are being played and vote yes anyway.
Rich Freggiaro Cycling Blog 