California AG Rob Bonta Alters Proposition 39 Ballot Language

California Attorney General Rob Bonta used his office to rewrite the official title and summary of Proposition 39, the voter‑ID and citizenship‑verification initiative, after the measure had already qualified for the November ballot. The original, year‑long draft title read “ESTABLISHES ADDITIONAL VOTER IDENTIFICATION AND CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS,” while the new wording states “PROHIBITS CITIZENS FROM VOTING UNLESS THEY PRESENT GOVERNMENT‑ISSUED IDENTIFICATION.” Critics, including Assemblyman Carl DeMaio and Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa, said the change frames the measure negatively and violates California law that requires ballot language to be impartial and free of argument. The alteration has sparked accusations that Bonta is manipulating the ballot to sway public perception against the initiative.

The controversy centers on whether the attorney general’s revision constitutes a breach of the statutory duty to provide a true and unbiased statement of a measure’s purpose, as required by state election law. Opponents argue the new language could mislead voters by emphasizing prohibition rather than the initiative’s original policy details.