California Voter ID initiative collects more than 500,000 signatures in just 5 weeks

In a record-breaking haul, the backers of the California Voter ID Initiative have collected more than 500,000 signatures of the 874,641 they need to force the issue on the 2026 statewide ballot, according to a statement from Assemblyman Carl DeMaio. As required by law, today the initiative’s proponents will file a formal certification with the California Secretary of State’s office announcing the initial tally.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the overwhelming response of signatures in the first five weeks of our signature drive – and it proves that California voters across the political spectrum support the California Voter ID Initiative,” DeMaio, one of the initiative’s proponents, said.

DeMaio’s Reform California organization is leading the volunteer signature drive and reports more than 16,000 volunteers are trained and activated statewide to collect signatures.

“Implementing a Voter ID requirement is critical in securing our elections – and this initiative reinstates trust in our democracy and ensures every legal vote is counted,” said State Senator Tony Strickland, another of the initiative’s proponents.

“With strong public backing and a mobilized team ready to collect the signatures needed, our job is simple: make sure voters get their say on this widely popular reform next November,” said Julie Luckey, Chairman of Californians for Voter ID and an organizational proponent of the measure.

The California Voter ID Initiative is a state constitutional amendment that requires Voter ID for casting a ballot in each election and holds state election officials accountable to verify the citizenship of registered voters and keep accurate voter rolls.

About Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaio is a State Assemblymember representing District 75 and is chairman of Reform California – a statewide movement dedicated to holding state and local government accountable by supporting reform-minded ballot measures and candidates to office. DeMaio also hosts a daily podcast covering news and state politics that receives 1-2 million unique views and listens a week. DeMaio’s 75th Assembly District includes the communities of Fallbrook, Bonsall, Valley Center, Ramona, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Santee, Lakeside, Alpine, Julian, Borrego Springs, Pala, Jamul, Pine Valley, Pauma Valley, and Bonita.

More information is available at CarlDeMaio.com or ReformCalifornia.org.