Radical anti-Trump language riddles California voter guide on high-stakes ballot measure

A California ballot measure on voter identification provides voters with guidance replete with far-left jargon, including a dig at “MAGA billionaires,” that has turned heads online.

Proposition 39 is a citizen-led effort, organized by a group called Californians for Voter ID, that submitted 1.3 million signatures in favor of the ballot initiative in March — far outpacing the required nearly 875,000 signatures in order for it to be adopted as a ballot measure.

Californians are slated to vote on the voter ID initiative in November. If approved, it would require a government-issued identification card or number to vote in person or by mail. It would also require election official to verify U.S. citizenship.

But the language explaining the proposition from those who oppose the measure in the California voters guide has been flagged online for its highly political nature.

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Groups that support the initiative are allowed to argue in favor of it on the ballot, while groups opposed are allowed to do the same on the ballot.

“No on Prop. 39,” begins the arguments section on the ballot initiative. “This would advance Trump’s voter suppression agenda by adding costly, unnecessary barriers that could block eligible California voters, expose personal information to identity theft, and waste hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.”

“Don’t let MAGA billionaires decide which voters count. Vote No,” it concludes.

Opponents of the measure are listed as the ACLU California Action, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of California.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump. The Trump administration this week announced a pause on more than $10 billion in childcare funds to five blue states. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images (left); Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images (right))

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The summary section of the ballot measure in the guide states the expected financial impact should the measure take effect.

“Costs of between tens of millions of dollars and low hundreds of millions of dollars each year to implement new voting requirements,” it says.

A third section titled “What Your Vote Means” also features language describing the ramifications of voting “yes” or “no” on the initiative.

“A YES vote on this measure means: Voters would be required to present additional identifying information to elections officials each time they vote,” it says. The voter guide explains that a “no” vote means “[a] voter’s identity would continue to be established with the voter’s signature.”

Groups advocating in favor of the measure include the Transparency Foundation, Latino American Political Assn, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

“Yes on Prop. 39 gives California a BIPARTISAN solution for VOTER ID,” their argument section says. “Supported by a solid majority of Democratic, Independent and Republican voters. Increases trust and confidence in our elections.”

Signage regarding voter identification posted outside of a polling location at the old Guilford County Courthouse during the last day of early voting in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Nov. 2, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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A Pew Research study released in 2025 shows that 83% of Americans back voter ID.

“It is so dark that this is the level of discourse in the OFFICIAL California voters guide,” said X user Daniel Keller, who first posted a screenshot of the ballot language.

Others agreed with that sentiment, like a user named David Masten, who said: “Democracy is a farce in California.”

“Good God,” user Brad Pierce put it simply.

Early voting is already underway in California, as Election Day on Nov. 3 rapidly approaches.

A view of the California State Capitol on August 19, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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If Proposition 39 is approved, the measure would require voters to present a government-issued ID when voting in person, while mail-in voters would be required to provide the last four digits of a government-issued ID number that matches the one they designated during voter registration.

It would also require election officials to use government data to verify U.S. citizenship and publish annual reports showing the percentage of registrations verified for citizenship in each county of the state. The California State Auditor would also be required to conduct regular audits of compliance with the new voter ID and citizenship requirements.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and California Gov. Gavin Newson’s office, but did not hear back at time of publication.

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