Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration Initiative
Summary
The initiative would add a new section to the California Constitution to require government-issued identification to vote in person or the last four digits of a unique government-issued identifying number with a mail-in ballot. The amendment would require the state to provide upon request and at no charge a voter ID card for use in casting a ballot. The initiative would also require the secretary of state and county election officials to maintain accurate voter registration lists, including verifying citizenship attestations and reporting the percentage of voter rolls that have been citizenship-verified.
The amendment would authorize the California State Legislature to enact laws to implement and ensure state and local compliance with the amendment. The amendment would allow citizens to seek judicial review and remedy of the state's or any county's compliance with the amendment. The amendment would also require the California State Auditor to audit state and county compliance, publicly report its findings, and "make recommendations for improving the integrity of elections to the public" every odd-numbered year.
Currently, California's constitution requires that voters be U.S. citizens. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is not required. Individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.
Measure Text
Article II of the California Constitution is amended to add section 3.1 to read as follows:
Section 3.1
(a) The Secretary of State, and county elections officials, shall each have the duty to maintain accurate voter registration lists, shall use best efforts to verify citizenship attestations using government data, and shall annually report what percentage of each countys voter rolls have been citizenship-verified.
(b) Each time a voter casts a ballot in person in any election in the State, the voter shall present government-issued identification, or if voting by mail, the voter shall provide the last four digits of a unique identifying number from government-issued identification that matches the one designated by the voter for their voter registration. The type of identification designated by each voter must be indicated in their voter registration record, noted on the mail ballot envelope provided to them, and available to them on request by phone or electronically. Election officials shall only count a regular or provisional ballot after verifying the identity of the person voting pursuant to the requirements of this section, and verifying that the person has cast only one ballot in the election. Government-issued identification means documentation that allows conclusive verification of the voters identity. Upon request by an eligible voter, the state shall provide, at no charge, a voter ID card for use in casting a ballot.
(c) This section shall be self-executing. The Legislature shall also promptly enact laws to implement this section, provide for voting by military and overseas voters consistent with federal law, and ensure that all State and local officials comply and support the compliance with this section. Citizens may seek judicial review and remedy of the States or any countys compliance with this section. During every odd-numbered year, the State Auditor shall audit the States and each countys compliance with this section and report its findings and recommendations for improving the integrity of elections to the public.
SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this Act are severable. If any portion, section, subdivision, paragraph, clause, sentence, phrase, word, or application of this Act is for any reason held to be invalid by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Act, which shall be given effect without the invalid portion or application.
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