Judge orders revision of voter ID measure’s ballot language in California

In a tentative ruling, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang concluded that the promotional statements for Proposition 39 contain false and misleading information, granting a petition filed by Democratic leaders Robert Rivas and Monique Limón. The judge highlighted that requiring a government-issued ID, or the last four digits of such ID for mail ballots, does not make voting easier and actually reduces privacy.

She also cited the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which indicated the measure would raise, not lower, election costs. Chang instructed the parties to meet and propose revised language before a Thursday hearing. Meanwhile, a related case brought by Californians for Voter ID, Yes on 39, and an Orange County voter challenges a recent change to the measure’s title by Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office. No final decision has been issued in that suit.