California Democratic leaders gathered in San Francisco on Friday to mobilise voters against Proposition 39, a ballot measure that would introduce new identification requirements for in-person and postal voting.
Governor Gavin Newsom, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and other senior Democrats urged Californians to vote “No” in the 3 November election, presenting the proposal as a threat to access to the ballot box.
The rally was held at the Mission District offices of Laborers Local 261, where speakers also included Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Representative Zoe Lofgren and California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks.
Under Proposition 39, voters casting their ballots in person would have to present government-issued identification. Those voting by post would be required to provide the final four digits of a designated government identification number on the ballot envelope.
The measure would also require election officials to make efforts to verify the citizenship status of registered voters and to publish annual figures showing how many voters in each county had been verified.
Newsom used the event to warn that the November election would have wider implications, telling supporters: “This is it, guys — no dress rehearsal.” He also criticised recent moves by the Trump administration relating to election administration and urged Democrats to turn out in large numbers.
Pelosi said Proposition 39 had been placed on the ballot in a way that was intended to undermine confidence in democracy, while opponents have warned that errors involving postal ballots could lead to otherwise eligible votes being rejected.
Supporters of the measure argue that it would strengthen election security, combat fraud and improve public trust. The state’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says its implementation could cost between tens of millions and low hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
The California Democratic Party has endorsed a “No” vote, alongside voting rights groups, labour organisations and several leading Democratic officials. The campaign is also being used to encourage early voting and increase Democratic turnout ahead of the midterm elections.
