California voters reject Prop 39, stricter voter ID measure

California voters rejected Proposition 39, a proposal to introduce stricter voter ID rules, in an election campaign shaped by a wider dispute over election security and President Donald Trump’s conflict with state officials. The result leaves California’s existing voting rules in place, while the measure’s sponsor says he will continue campaigning for voter ID.

With roughly half the votes counted, about 60% voted against requiring identification at polling places and additional checks for mail-in ballots, according to the Associated Press. Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio backed the proposal, which received an $8 million donation from Airbnb co-founder Joseph Gebbia; opponents criticised its wording, while Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said changes to ballot summaries were routine.