California AG Rob Bonta Revises Proposition 39 Ballot Title, Prompting Lawsuit

California Attorney General Rob Bonta altered the official title and summary of Proposition 39, a statewide voter‑identification and citizenship‑verification initiative slated for the November 2026 election. The original wording described the measure as establishing additional voter‑ID requirements, while the revised language states it "prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government‑issued identification."

Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, who co‑authored the initiative, filed a lawsuit demanding the original, neutral title be restored, accusing Bonta of election manipulation. Other GOP legislators, including Rep. Kevin Kiley and Rep. David Tangipa, echoed the criticism, labeling the change as "rigging" and "cheating." Bonta’s office responded that title adjustments are routine and intended to clarify the measure’s purpose, noting that nine of the fourteen 2024 initiatives underwent similar revisions. The dispute centers on more than one million signatures collected for Prop 39 and its potential impact on the upcoming statewide election.