California attorney general criticized for changing wording of voter ID ballot measure

Originally reported by Darrielle Fair for CBS Sacramento · Updated July 23, 2026. Republished on Ballot Beacon with attribution to illustrate why ballot language clarity matters.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is being accused of using politically charged language to describe a ballot measure that would require voters to show government-issued identification before casting a ballot.

The criticism comes after Bonta’s office updated the title and summary for Proposition 39, which will appear before voters this November.

The measure would require voters to present government-issued identification when voting and verify their U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

Supporters submitted more than 1 million signatures to qualify the initiative for the November ballot, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.

Republican Rep. James Gallagher accused Bonta of “trying to rig the language” after the measure received strong signature support.

“Rob Bonta couldn’t stop 1.3 million Californians from putting Prop 39 on the ballot. So what does he do? He changes the ballot title to manipulate how voters see voter ID, sabotaging it before Californians ever get a fair vote,” Gallagher wrote on social media.

When the proposal was first cleared for signature gathering, the Attorney General’s Office titled it “Establishes Additional Voter Identification and Citizenship Verification Requirements.”

Earlier this month, the office revised the title to read: “Prohibits Citizens from Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification.” The measure’s summary was also updated.

Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley argued the new wording is biased and could influence how voters view the initiative. He proposed moving ballot descriptions from an elected political official to a nonpartisan official such as the Legislative Analyst.

Bonta’s office defended the revisions, saying changes between the circulating title and the final ballot title are routine.

“When a measure qualifies for the ballot, the Attorney General’s Office is required to issue a ballot title and summary and a condensed ballot title and summary. We take our responsibilities seriously at all stages of the process. It is not uncommon for the ballot title and summary to change from the circulating version — and this year, all nine voter-proposed initiatives had changes.”

— California Attorney General’s Office, statement to CBS Sacramento

California is one of 14 states that generally do not require voters to present photo identification at the polls. However, some first-time voters who registered by mail may be required to provide identification before voting.

Why Ballot Beacon features this story: Ballot titles and summaries shape first impressions. When official wording shifts after a measure qualifies, voters need plain-English context — not spin — to understand what a Yes or No actually means.

Source: CBS Sacramento reporting by Darrielle Fair.