California Voters to Decide on Voter ID and Tax Measures

California voters will decide on two significant ballot measures in the November 3 election. Carl DeMaio, a Republican Assembly member, authored Proposition 39, which would require in-person voters to present government-issued identification and mail-in voters to provide the last four digits of a government ID number. DeMaio argues the measure will increase public confidence in elections, while opponents claim it would create unnecessary hurdles for citizens and slow vote counting.

A political dispute has emerged over whether President Donald Trump endorsed Proposition 39. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra claimed Trump backed the measure, a point echoed by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who linked the initiative to a national MAGA agenda. DeMaio denied Trump's involvement, stating the measure qualified for the ballot via over 1 million citizen signatures. However, opponents pointed to a March 2025 news release from DeMaio's group, Reform California, which previously acknowledged Trump's support before being updated with an editor's note.

Separately, voters will consider Proposition 3, which seeks to permanently establish higher income tax rates for high earners, including a 13.3 percent top rate. The California Legislative Analyst's Office estimates the measure could raise between $5 billion and $15 billion annually. Critics from the Hoover Institution argue the tax causes wealthy residents to leave the state and that revenue is often absorbed by rising pension costs rather than funding schools.