Billionaire-backed California voter ID measure faces fierce opposition and Trump linkage debate
California’s Proposition 39, a ballot measure requiring voters to present government ID, has raised over $36 million from out-of-state billionaires, including $17 million from Richard Uihlein and $8 million from Joe Gebbia. While proponents view it as a test for future battleground states, opponents argue it suppresses mail voters and falsely links to President Trump’s agenda. Polls show support has dropped to 43% as the election approaches.
Key points
- Proposition 39 requires in-person voters to show ID and mail voters to write the last four digits of their ID on ballots.
- The 'Yes' campaign has raised $36 million, led by Richard Uihlein ($17M) and Joe Gebbia ($8M), outpacing opponents by $13 million.
- Opponents, including the California Democratic Party and labor unions, have raised significant funds, with the state party contributing $5.5 million.
- A September poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found support for the measure at 43%, down from broader support when details were omitted.
- The measure is spearheaded by Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and his group, Reform California, after legislative efforts failed.
Background
This measure follows a decade of failed legislative attempts to pass voter ID laws in California. It arrives amid a broader national push for election restrictions, including the SAVE America Act, and follows a recent DOJ crackdown on alleged voter fraud in California. The measure also coincides with other high-profile California ballot initiatives, such as Proposition 40, a billionaire wealth tax, which faces its own billionaire-backed countermeasures.
How outlets are covering it
CalMatters and Politico emphasize the massive out-of-state funding, framing the measure as a strategic test for the GOP in moderate states. The Los Angeles Times highlights a dispute over whether President Trump endorsed the measure, with 'Yes' proponents denying direct endorsement while 'No' supporters argue it is central to his agenda. CalMatters notes that while 36 states have ID laws, California’s unique mail-voting system (used by 90% of voters) makes the measure particularly contentious. Opponents, including Common Cause and the California League of Women Voters, argue the measure is unnecessary and would disenfranchise low-income and minority voters, while proponents compare it to ID requirements for flying or buying alcohol.
Why it matters
The outcome of Proposition 39 will serve as a bellwether for the viability of voter ID laws in blue states and could influence similar measures in swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. It also tests the limits of mail voting in California, where nearly 90% of voters cast ballots by mail, potentially impacting voter access and election integrity perceptions.
What to watch
The campaign will intensify in the final month before the November 3 election, with TV ads from both sides. The 'Yes' campaign is distancing itself from Trump, while the 'No' campaign is linking the measure to the president’s agenda. Polling will be critical to determine if the measure can overcome the default 'no' stance of most voters on ballot propositions.
- Here are the megadonors bankrolling California’s voter ID ballot measure CalMatters
- CA Voter Guide: Yes on Prop 39 for Voter ID! Reform California
- Airbnb co-founder writes $8M check to California Voter ID campaign Politico
- Voter ID proponents accuse California Democrats of lying about Trump's support for Prop. 39 Los Angeles Times
- ‘Voter fraud’ is a kind of fraud orange county tribune
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