As of mid-December, the “California Voter Identification” petition has collected 750,000 signatures, with only 250,000 signatures left to reach the goal of 1 million, potentially becoming a ballot measure in the November 2026 midterm elections. Since the petition started in mid-September, it gathered over 500,000 signatures in the first 5 weeks and reached 750,000 by early December (approximately 2.5 months).
The initiative titled “California Voter Identification and Voter List Maintenance Requirements Initiative” was launched by State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, State Senator Tony Strickland, and Donald J. DiConstanzo. Approved by the Secretary of State on September 19, 2025, the petition aims to make changes to existing laws regarding voter identification and maintenance of voter lists.
Under current California law, individuals registering to vote must declare under penalty of perjury that they are US citizens and provide information for identity verification, such as date of birth, driver’s license, or Social Security number. However, voters are not required to show ID when voting.
The initiative proposes amendments to the state laws, including requiring voters to present government-issued identification at polling stations, providing the last 4 digits of their identification for mailed ballots, issuing voter ID cards by the state, and mandating election officials to report the percentage of voters with verified citizenship annually by county.
The organizers have 180 days, until March 18, 2026, to collect 874,641 valid signatures (approximately 8% of the total votes cast in the November 2022 gubernatorial election) and submit them to county election officials to appear on the ballot for the November elections next year, subject to voter approval. To account for potential invalid signatures, the target for signatures is set at 1 million.
“We are now in the final sprint,” said Carl DeMaio, the Chairman of Reform California and State Assemblymember of the 75th District. “If you have collected signatures, please send them back immediately; if you haven’t participated yet, start collecting and bring along five friends.”
Reform California urges volunteers to send back signatures by December 31. Over 17,000 trained volunteers are currently collecting signatures across the state at community events, churches, shopping centers, and bus tour events.
DeMaio emphasized, “Californians have spoken loudly and clearly: they want fairness in elections – and they are ready to make history to achieve that goal.”
In the 2020 election, California voters rejected Proposition 16 with 57.2% of the vote, upholding Proposition 209 to protect equal rights for all ethnicities. In 2024, 68.4% of California voters supported Proposition 36, which aimed to reduce homelessness, drug addiction, and retail theft by enhancing penalties for robbery, theft, trafficking fentanyl, and mandatory rehabilitation.
Explaining the importance of the 2026 “California Voter Identification” ballot measure, DeMaio stated, “We need to restore public trust and confidence in elections, or nothing else can move forward.” Other ongoing citizen initiatives for this year include the “Children’s Education Opportunity Act” (establishing education savings accounts for each child with an initial deposit of $17,000) and the “Local Taxpayer Protection Act” (protecting Proposition 13, requiring a 2/3 vote for local tax rate increases and prohibiting real estate transfer taxes).
At a community event on December 11, DeMaio emphasized the importance of grassroots actions over money and media, stating that that it plays a dominant role. He noted that while midterm election voter turnout is typically around 35%, efforts like door-to-door visits can increase voter participation, potentially securing victory in 26 legislative districts.
A survey by Public Opinion Strategies of 800 potential California voters in January from the 19th to the 22nd showed that 79% support citizen identification verification, and 68% support voter identification requirements, including 93% of Republicans, 52% of Democrats, and 70% of Independents.
In late April, a UC Berkeley IGS survey reflected that 71% of registered voters support the requirement to provide citizenship ID for voting, with 95% of Republicans, 59% of Democrats, and 71% of other party affiliates or independents in favor.
State Senator Strickland of the 36th District pointed out, “Our democratic system is nurturing a cancer, with too many people losing faith in elections – enacting voter identification laws should be seen as a bipartisan solution to this issue.”
Julie Luckey, the director of Californians for Voter ID, emphasized that the issue transcends party lines, integrity, and common sense. She stated, “California needs to modernize its election system to align with the vast majority of democratic nations globally; while our state is leading in many areas, it is lagging on this particular issue.”
The organization calls for more volunteers to assist in gathering signatures to include the “California Voter Identification” initiative on the ballot for the 2026 midterm elections and to raise campaign funds for the ballot measure.