SB-405
Government Operations

Elections: voter identification.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Allows local governments to require voter identification at polling places and voting locations.
  • Repeals the existing state ban on local voter ID requirements.
  • Enables cities and counties to create their own voter identification rules.

Summary

Senator Choi and a bipartisan group of legislators propose removing California's statewide prohibition on local voter identification requirements, introducing legislation that would allow cities and counties to establish their own voter ID policies at polling places and ballot submission locations.

The measure would repeal the current Elections Code provision that prevents local governments from requiring voters to present identification when casting ballots. Under existing law, municipalities cannot enact or enforce any charter provisions, ordinances, or regulations mandating voter ID at polling places or other voting locations. The repeal would transfer authority over voter identification requirements from the state to local jurisdictions, while maintaining compliance obligations with state constitutional provisions and federal voting rights laws.

Local governments would gain the ability to develop and implement voter identification standards tailored to their communities, potentially creating varying requirements across different California jurisdictions. Election officials in municipalities that choose to establish voter ID requirements would need to incorporate new verification procedures into their voting processes, while voters may encounter different identification standards when moving between jurisdictions or voting in various locations.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
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Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Marie Alvarado-GilR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Steven Choi
Steven ChoiR
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Kelly Seyarto
Kelly SeyartoR
California State Senator
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
California State Senator
Roger Niello
Roger NielloR
California State Senator
Brian Jones
Brian JonesR
California State Senator
Bill Essayli
Bill EssayliR
California State Assembly Member
Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member
Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Marie Alvarado-Gil
Marie Alvarado-GilR
California State Senator
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Allows local governments to require voter identification at polling places and voting locations.
  • Repeals the existing state ban on local voter ID requirements.
  • Enables cities and counties to create their own voter identification rules.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Steven Choi
Steven ChoiR
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Kelly Seyarto
Kelly SeyartoR
California State Senator
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
California State Senator
Roger Niello
Roger NielloR
California State Senator
Brian Jones
Brian JonesR
California State Senator
Bill Essayli
Bill EssayliR
California State Assembly Member
Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member
Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Marie Alvarado-Gil
Marie Alvarado-GilR
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Choi and a bipartisan group of legislators propose removing California's statewide prohibition on local voter identification requirements, introducing legislation that would allow cities and counties to establish their own voter ID policies at polling places and ballot submission locations.

The measure would repeal the current Elections Code provision that prevents local governments from requiring voters to present identification when casting ballots. Under existing law, municipalities cannot enact or enforce any charter provisions, ordinances, or regulations mandating voter ID at polling places or other voting locations. The repeal would transfer authority over voter identification requirements from the state to local jurisdictions, while maintaining compliance obligations with state constitutional provisions and federal voting rights laws.

Local governments would gain the ability to develop and implement voter identification standards tailored to their communities, potentially creating varying requirements across different California jurisdictions. Election officials in municipalities that choose to establish voter ID requirements would need to incorporate new verification procedures into their voting processes, while voters may encounter different identification standards when moving between jurisdictions or voting in various locations.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Marie Alvarado-GilR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author