INITIATIVE TEXT:

SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

To enforce existing voter qualifications, including US citizenship, established by California's Constitution, the people hereby amend the California Constitution: (A) to promote public confidence and trust in the electoral process, which encourages civic participation and supports a healthy democracy; (B) to deter and detect voter fraud by maintaining accurate voter registration records and confirming eligibility to vote; and (C) to minimize the risk of voter impersonation by requiring proof of identity to vote.

SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA VOTER IDENTIFICATION REFORMS

Article II of the California Constitution is amended to add section 3.1 to read as follows:

Section 3.1

(a) The Secretary of State, and county elections officials, shall each have the duty to maintain accurate voter registration lists, shall use best efforts to verify citizenship attestations using government data, and shall annually report what percentage of each county's voter rolls have been citizenship-verified.

(b) Each time a voter casts a ballot in person in any election in the State, the voter shall present government-issued identification, or if voting by mail, the voter shall provide the last four digits of a unique identifying number from government-issued identification that matches the one designated by the voter for their voter registration. The type of identification designated by each voter must be indicated in their voter registration record, noted on the mail ballot envelope provided to them, and available to them on request by phone or electronically. Election officials shall only count a regular or provisional ballot after verifying the identity of the person voting pursuant to the requirements of this section, and verifying that the person has cast only one ballot in the election. Government-issued identification means documentation that allows conclusive verification of the voter's identity. Upon request by an eligible voter, the state shall provide, at no charge, a voter ID card for use in casting a ballot.

(c) This section shall be self-executing. The Legislature shall also promptly enact laws to implement this section, provide for voting by military and overseas voters consistent with federal law, and ensure that all State and local officials comply and support the compliance with this section. Citizens may seek judicial review and remedy of the State's or any county's compliance with this section. During every odd-numbered year, the State Auditor shall audit the State's and each county's compliance with this section and report its findings and recommendations for improving the integrity of elections to the public.

SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY

The provisions of this Act are severable. If any portion, section, subdivision, paragraph, clause, sentence, phrase, word, or application of this Act is for any reason held to be invalid by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Act, which shall be given effect without the invalid portion or application.