California AG Rob Bonta Accused of Changing Prop 39 Ballot Title

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has rewritten the ballot title for Proposition 39, a voter‑identification initiative that gathered more than 1.3 million signatures and qualified for the November 2026 ballot. The original title described the measure as establishing “additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements,” while the revised draft calls it a provision that “prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government‑issued identification.” Critics, including Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, argue the new wording mischaracterises the measure and could deter support. DeMaio announced he is filing a lawsuit to compel the restoration of the original, neutral title. The dispute centers on whether the initiative merely requires ID for voting or effectively limits voting rights, a contention that has sparked a broader debate over voter‑ID laws in California.