Republican donors fund California Proposition 39 voter ID campaign

Republican donors and conservative groups have contributed more than $28 million to the campaign for Proposition 39, a California ballot measure that would require voters to present a government-issued ID to vote.

Major contributors include Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein, who has donated $17 million, and Southern California businessman Steven Bray, who provided over $3 million in loans. Other significant backers include tech entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Nicole Shanahan, and the political group Reform California. The campaign currently holds an $11 million advantage over its opponents.

Proponents argue the measure is necessary for election security, noting that 36 other states already require some form of identification. If passed, the law would require in-person voters to show a driver’s license or other government ID. For mail-in ballots, voters would be required to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number or another government-issued identification number.