Prop 39 would make voting harder, more expensive, and less accessible for millions of Californians. The measure would create new identification requirements that could lead to more rejected ballots, longer lines at polling places, and confusion for people trying to exercise their right to vote.
Historically, voter ID laws have been used to disenfranchise voters who are low-income, voters of color, young people, seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone whose identification does not match their current name or address. Prop 39 would revive those barriers in California, putting eligible voters at risk of being turned away or having their ballots rejected over paperwork, not eligibility.
How Could Prop 39 Affect Care Providers and the People We Serve?
Supporters of Prop 39 say it would require voters to show ID, but many eligible voters could face new barriers when trying to cast their ballot, especially seniors, people with disabilities, low-income Californians, and people of color.
- Seniors and people with disabilities may face challenges of getting an updated government-issued ID, traveling to government offices, replacing lost documents, or even affording a new ID.
- Some will encounter longer lines or additional paperwork when voting.
- People who have changed their name because of marriage, divorce, or other life events could run into problems if their voting records and identification documents to not match exactly.
- People who have recently moved or are experiencing housing instability could face added complications when registering or voting.
Does Prop 39 Make Voting in California Safer?
- No. California already has multiple security measures in place to verify voters and protect elections. Election officials verify voter registrations, check signatures on vote-by-mail ballots, and enforce penalties for illegal voting.
- The measure would also require voters to place personal identification numbers on mail-in envelopes, creating additional privacy concerns and increasing the risk of that sensitive information could be exposed or mishandled.
- Instead of making it easier for people to participate in our democracy, Prop 39 would make voting more complicated and could prevent eligible voters from having their voices heard.
Every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot without unnecessary barriers. We must support policies that expand voter participation, not measures that make it harder for eligible voters to make their voices heard.
Protect your right to vote and VOTE NO on Proposition 39!
